News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

Media Contact: Tyler Johnson, (406) 247-7609, tjohnson@usbr.gov

For Release: May 08, 2018

BILLINGS, Montana -- Reclamation's May forecast of the April through July runoff predicted for the Bighorn Basin is as follows:

• Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast to be 1,740,500 af, which is 149 percent of the 30 year average of 1,165,700 af. Approximately 391,200 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April, which is 243 percent of the April average.

• Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir forecast has been increased to 1,100,000 af, which is 156 percent of the 30 year average of 704,400 af. Approximately 76,525 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April, which is 167 percent of the April average.

• Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir forecast has been lowered to 750,000 af, which is 130 percent of the 30 year average of 577,700 af. Approximately 62,181 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April, which is 127% of the April average.

• Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July inflow to Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek forecast has been lowered to 160,000 af, which is 114 percent of the 30 year average of 140,400 af. Approximately 5,647 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April, which is 134 percent of the April average.

• Wind River - April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek forecast has been lowered to 550,000 af, which is 132 percent of the 30 year average of 416,300 af. Approximately 38,299 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April, which is 154 percent of the April average.

For additional information on Buffalo Bill, Boysen, and Bull Lake Reservoirs, contact Wyoming Area Manager Carlie Ronca at 307-261-5671. For additional information on Bighorn Lake, contact Montana Area Manager Steve Davies at 406-247-7298.

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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:

Montana Area Office Home Page

Wyoming Area Office Home Page