North Platte Basin experiencing an up and down spring
By Sandra Hansen, The Scottsbluff Star-Herald
Inflows for some basins along the North Platte River are far below average, while others are far above average. And others are right at average. Even though the March 1 report isn't all that great, it is considerably better than most end-of-February data over the past decade.
Guernsey Reservoir came in with 1,600 acre-feet of inflow for February, or 133 percent of the 1,200 acre-feet 30-year average. Seminoe Reservoir recorded 27,200 acre-feet, compared to 27,300 acre-feet for 100 percent of the 30-year average. Way below average, Pathfinder picked up 2,900 acre-feet, or only 45 percent of the 30-year average of 6,400 acre-feet. Glendo Reservoir was below the 30-year average of 13,100 acre-feet, with 9,800 acre-feet or 75 percent of average.
So far in Water Year 2010, Seminoe has accumulated 161,300 acre-feet, while Pathfinder has registered 9,400 acre-feet, Glendo has gained 50,300 acre-feet, and Guernsey has acquired 8,800 acre-feet.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation office in Mills, February storage for the North Platte reservoirs was above average except at Gray Reef and Glendo.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation office in Mills, February storage for the North Platte reservoirs was above average except at Gray Reef and Glendo.
Seminoe held 676,800 acre-feet, or 139 percent of the 30-year average of 486,300 acre-feet. Pathfinder was at 735,900 acre-feet, 126 percent of the 582,900 acre-feet average. Glendo was lagging behind with 319,500 acre-feet, or 89 percent of the 358,000 acre-feet average.
Storage in the total North Platte River reservoir system was 1,913,200 acre-feet, or 119 percent of the 30-year average of 1,604,000 acre-feet. Total conservation storage capacity for the system is 2,787,800 acre-feet.
For the first time in many years, North Platte, Inland Lakes, and Kendrick ownerships were above average for February. Kendrick had 1,005,100 acre-feet, while Inland Lakes was at 24,400 acre-feet. The North Platte Project was 753,600 acre-feet, 130 percent of the 30-year average of 579,500 acre-feet. Glendo ownership for February was 120,000 acre-feet, compared to the 30-year average of 126,400 acre-feet.
The North Platte Project has a storage capacity of 1,062,100 acre-feet. Inland Lakes has 46,000 acre-feet, and Glendo has 183,200 acre-feet.
With the amount of downstream snowfall through the winter of 2009-2010, irrigation districts might be heading for another year when they don't use all of the water available.
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