February 15, 2024 |
Photo – Spillway at Pathfinder Reservoir – Courtesy Bureau of Reclamation WY Office
The February forecasts from the Bureau of Reclamation indicate the spring snowmelt runoff will be below average because of snowfall totals so far this winter. However, no calls on the river are expected. Total runoff April through July in the North Platte River Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be around 60% of the 30-year average, or 570,000 acre-feet.
The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,815,800 acre feet (af). As of January 31, 2024, the combined storage content in the North Platte Reservoirs was 1,828,600 af, which is 112% of the 30-year average.
Current releases are 530 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Seminoe Reservoir through the Miracle Mile. Based on current projections for the months of May, June, and July, the releases out of Seminoe Reservoir are expected to peak at around 2,000 cfs. Pathfinder Reservoir is not expected to spill this spring. Based on our current forecast, an allocation is not expected for Wyoming’s North Platte Project contractors.
