More Precipitation Means Higher Runoff

More precipitation received in March means that even more runoff is expected to gather in Wyoming’s reservoirs this spring.

The Bureau of Reclamation reports that March precipitation totals across Wyoming were 135 to 145 percent of average, with the Wind River Drainage seeing nearly 255 percent of 30-year average amounts. Well above average snowmelt streamflow volumes are still expected across the Snake, Wind and Shoshone watersheds.

Bighorn Lake is forecast to receive 2.23 million acre-feet of runoff, which is 204 percent of the 30 year average. Buffalo Bill Reservoir is expected to receive 162 percent of average; and Boysen Reservoir is looking at a 204 percent of average inflow.

The Bureau of Reclamation will present water supply conditions in the Bighorn Basin and discuss the agency’s proposed spring operating plan for Yellowtail Dam and Bighorn Lake at a public meeting that begins this morning in Lovell at the Community Center.