Wyoming water outlook looks good
by Jim Fahey, Wyoming NOAA hydrologist
November 17, 2008
Abundant rainfall and above average spring runoff across the across the state in May and in June has allowed the severe drought category to be dropped in Wyoming. A majority of river basins across Wyoming continue to have near normal to above normal precipitation totals for 2008.
Wyoming’s water supply continues to look very solid--even after the 2008 irrigation season. Many current reservoir storages across the stage are at 9-year highs. Boysen Reservoir is still near 84 percent of capacity in early to middle November--this amount of storage at this time of the year has not been seen since 1999. Seminoe Reservoir is above 50 percent capacity--this reservoir has not seen 50 percent capacity for at least 8 to 9 years.
Highlights:
- No more severe drought across Wyoming.
- A majority of river basins across Wyoming continue to have near normal to above normal precipitation totals for 2008.
- A majority of reservoir storages across Wyoming are at 9-year highs for the end of October.
- Lower Green and Upper Bear River Basins continue to have moderate drought conditions.
Water year 2009 started out very wet for the northern half of Wyoming as precipitation and snow water equivalents (SWE’s) were above normal during October. The southern half of the state, for the most part, had a rather dry October--some basins had only 60 to 70 percent of normal precipitation for the month.
The Lower Green and Upper Bear River Basins continue to be the driest basins in Wyoming---as these basins continue to be under the moderate drought category. The latest drought outlook through January 2009 indicates these basins in southwestern Wyoming will continue to see moderate drought conditions persist.
For the complete drought report with graphics go to:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/riw/hydro/drought_info.pdf
For additional drought graphics and information, go to:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/hydro/drought.php
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