Bighorn River flows

The Bureau of Reclamation will be releasing higher than normal flows in the Wind and Bighorn Rivers downstream of Boysen Dam and also in the Shoshone River below Buffalo Bill Dam.

Fall reservoir storage has been very good following the record spring reservoir inflows this year into both Boysen and Buffalo Bill Reservoirs. In addition, the fall inflows to the reservoirs have been the highest in the last thirty years. As a result, the reservoir releases from both reservoirs will be higher than normal for the winter months.

The release from Boysen Reservoir to the Wind River will be approximately 1,250 cubic feet per second (cfs) for the winter months, which is about 300 cfs above normal.

“These water operations are needed to manage reservoir levels and will have the added benefit of increased power generation, while still appropriately managing for this coming season’s irrigation water supply,” said Wyoming Area Manager, Carlie Ronca.

Reservoir releases will be adjusted as necessary in the spring depending on updated spring inflow forecasts.