MILLS, Wyo. -- Releases from Buffalo Bill Dam to the Shoshone River are currently at 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Based on current operating projections and the expectation of near record runoff, Buffalo Bill Reservoir will be lowered approximately eleven more feet to an elevation near 5,345 feet in May to prepare for peak run-off. As the spring run-off occurs, releases from Buffalo Bill Reservoir to the Shoshone River are projected to reach 5,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) in June. Buffalo Bill Reservoir will be managed to fill the reservoir to an elevation of 5391.5 feet in July.
"Steps are being taken to make room for the snowmelt runoff that is expected to come into the Bureau of Reclamation's Buffalo Bill Reservoir over the next few months," said Wyoming Area Manager, Carlie Ronca. "Moving water downstream below Buffalo Bill Reservoir now will reduce the peak of downstream flows that would be experienced otherwise."
Recreationists are encouraged to use caution regarding changing reservoir levels and high river flows. Conditions can change rapidly during runoff and Reclamation is coordinating with other Federal, state, and local officials regarding reservoir levels and river flows.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
