Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte

May update from the Bureau of Reclamation

Found online at: http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=43004

 

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte

MILLS, Wyo. -- The Bureau of Reclamation's Wyoming Area Office has prepared snowmelt runoff forecasts for the North Platte River Basin. According to Wyoming Area Manager Coleman Smith, the May 1 forecast indicates below average spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin.
April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 518,000 acre feet (AF) or 55 percent of the 30-year average of 944,600 AF. Approximately 450,000 AF (60 percent of average) of runoff is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir (of which 50,000 AF was received in April) with an additional 18,000 AF (30 percent of average) being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River (of which 6,500 AF was received April), and the balance of 50,000 AF (37 percent of average) coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir (of which 14,900 AF was received in April). The water in storage for delivery to North Platte Contractors as of April 30, 2013 is 349,400 AF or 45 percent of average. Smith said, "Reclamation is advising North Platte Project water users that an allocation is expected. With reservoir storage well below average and below average inflow forecasted for April through July, water users will need to take measures to conserve the available water supply." With the current forecast, river flows throughout the system are expected to be much less than average.