Big Horn Lake inflow looking bleak

MILLS, Wyo. – The Bureau of Reclamation’s April forecast of the April through July water runoff predicted for the Big Horn River Basin is as follows:

Big Horn Lake – Big Horn River April through July inflow to Big Horn Lake is forecast to be approximately 528,000 acre-feet (af), which is 42% of the 30-year average of 1,250,000 af. As of April 1, Big Horn Lake was 77% full.

Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 480,000 af, which is 64% of the 30-year average of 753,000 af. As of April 1, Buffalo Bill was 68% full.

Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 200,000 af, which is 33% of the 30-year average of 606,000 af. As of April 1, Boysen Reservoir was 72% full.

Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 100,000 af, which is 70% of the 30-year average of 144,000 af. As of April 1, Bull Lake Reservoir was 29% full.

A reservoir is considered “full” when the pool elevation is at top of active conservation or joint-use pool. The percentage is based on total reservoir volume below that level.