Date: March 7, 2007
From the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation
Wyoming Area Office
Mills, Wyoming

March Snowmelt Runoff Forecast

The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyo., has prepared snowmelt runoff forecasts for the North Platte River Basin, according to John H. Lawson, Wyoming area manager.  The March 1 forecast of the spring snowmelt runoff for the North Platte Basin is below normal.

Total expected April through July runoff in the North Platte Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 745,000 acre-feet (AF) or 84% of the 30-year average of 883,100 AF.  Approximately 625,000 AF (89% of average) of the runoff is expected to enter Seminoe Reservoir with an additional 30,000 AF (48% of average) being provided to Pathfinder Reservoir from the Sweetwater River, and the balance of 90,000 AF (74% of average) coming from the basin between Pathfinder Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.

The water in storage for delivery to North Platte Project contractors is 512,933 AF or 90% of average.  Since the March 1 forecast is below average, Reclamation continues to encourage water conservation in planning for the upcoming season.

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