Reclamation issues snowmelt forecast for Big Horn Basin

BILLINGS – 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 1,172,000 acre-feet (af), which is 93% of the 30-year average of 1,264,000 af.  As of April 1, Bighorn Lake was 81% full.

Buffalo Bill Reservoir -- Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 640,000 af, which is 85% of the 30-year average of 754,000 af. As of April 1, Buffalo Bill was 75% full.

Boysen Reservoir -- Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 750,000 af, which is 120% of the 30-year average of 625,000 af. As of April 1, Boysen Reservoir was 84% 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.