June 7, 2024 |
Photo – North Platte River – Bigfoot99 file photo
The National Weather Service said the North Platte River will continue to rise with the potential to cause minor flooding before receding. Late spring and early summer are peak flood seasons for the valley. Winter snowpack in the mountains begins to melt and flow into the rivers, producing the annual threat of flooding.
For the last seven weeks, the National Weather Service in Wyoming has held meetings to discuss the latest snowpack totals and flood forecasts. During yesterday’s online meeting, Cheyenne Senior Hydrologist Tony Anderson said snowfalls, temperature, and rain all contribute to the potential for flooding.
Anderson said temperatures over the next week are expected to be above average. The senior hydrologist said the trend is not expected to change in the near future. Anderson said our area may see rain, but not a significant amount.
Anderson said most of the state is expected to experience drought conditions over the summer.
Snowpack in the mountains across most of Wyoming is dwindling, said Anderson. The chief hydrologist said almost every mountain range in the state is expected to have little or no snowpack left by the end of this week. However, Anderson said the Snowy Range is an exception.
While most basins across the state have two or less inches of snow water equivalent left, Anderson said the Upper North Platte Basin the exception with 10 inches of high country snowpack. The hydrologist said the North Platte and Encampment Rivers are likely to rise slightly above the minor flood stage of 8.5 feet.
Anderson said the Medicine Bow and Little Laramie Rivers are predicted to reach action stage, at six and five feet respectively.
Using his current weather simulations, Anderson said the North Platte and Encampment Rivers show a 10% chance of reaching flood stage. The chief hydrologist said his forecast models do not take into account heavy snowmelt that occurred earlier this week. Anderson said both rivers are more likely to have a 50% chance of reaching the minor flood stage.
Despite high water levels, Anderson said he has no major concerns about flooding. The chief hydrologist said the North Platte River is only expected to rise slightly above the minor flood level.
The National Weather Service has scheduled one more flood meeting this season. Bigfoot99 will continue to monitor the local rivers for flooding and report back with any information.
