News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte River Basin

Media Contact: Carlie Ronca, (307) 261-5671, cronca@usbr.gov

For Release: March 08, 2017

MILLS, Wyo. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has prepared snowmelt runoff forecasts for the North Platte River Basin. "The March 1 forecast indicates the spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin will be above average," said Wyoming Area Manager, Carlie Ronca.

Total April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 1,265,000 acre feet (af) or 146 percent of the 30 year average of 868,000 af. Approximately 975,000 af, 143 percent of average, of the runoff is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir with an additional 160,000 af, 320 percent of average, being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and the balance of 130,000 af, 97 percent of average, coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.

The total storage for the North Platte Reservoir System, as of February 28, is 2,208,953 af, which is 139 percent of the 30-year average of 1,585,200 af. The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,815,800 af.

Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in April, and May.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office Home Page