News Release Archive

Reclamation issues snowmelt forecast for Bighorn River Basin

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

For Release: June 07, 2019

BILLINGS, Montana – Reclamation's June 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 approximately 1,517,600 acre-feet (af), which is 124% of the 30-year average of 1,221,200 af. Approximately 540,100 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April and May, which is 114% of the April and May average.
  • Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 850,000 af, which is 116% of the 30-year average of 734,600 af. Approximately 213,000 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April and May, which is 91% of the April and May average.
  • Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 775,000 af, which is 128% of the 30-year average of 603,300 af. Approximately 209,000 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April and May, which is 112% of the April and May average.
  • Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 165,000 af, which is 115% of the 30-year average of 143,200 af. Approximately 27,100 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April and May, which is 81% of the April and May average.
  • Wind River – April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 450,000 af, which is 103% of the 30-year average of 435,000 af. Approximately 103,600 af of the forecast volume was accumulated during April and May, which is 86% of the April and May 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 Yellowtail

Reservoir, contact Montana Area Manager Steve Davies at 406-247-7298.

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Relevant Link:

Wyoming Area Office