Great Plains Region Newsroom Channel

Possible Theft of Pre-Historic Mammal Fossils Following Discovery near Cody, Wyoming

MILLS, Wyoming -- The Bureau of Reclamation received reports of possible pre-historic mammal remains being located on Reclamation land near Cody, Wyoming, on Tuesday, April 17. The fossil remains are believed to be from a mammoth and include rib elements, vertebral elements, and a number of other bones.

"The site was located, and based on interviews, Reclamation's special agent determined the site may have been disturbed prior to being reported to Reclamation," Wyoming Area Manager Carlie Ronca said. "Law enforcement is currently working with the resource staff to assess the damage to the site."

The remains were uncovered as a result of Buffalo Bill Reservoir decreasing in storage as part of normal reservoir operations. Due to the location of the remains, Reclamation and Wyoming's Archaeologist are working to remove the materials before the reservoir rises from spring snowmelt.

Under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act, federal agencies are required to manage paleontological resources located on federal land. Criminal and civil penalties can be applied for unauthorized collection of fossils and vandalism.

Fossils are non-renewable and (except for microfossils and those that make up the energy minerals) relatively rare resources with significant scientific, educational, commercial, and recreational values.

Well-preserved fossils are always interesting and may add much to our knowledge of the geologic history and structure of the region. Fossils are the remains, imprints, and traces of once-living organisms preserved in the earth's crust. Fossils may be bones, teeth, shells, impressions, footprints, or burrows. Collection of fossils are not permitted on Reclamation land.

Reclamation Announces Yellowtail Dam/Bighorn Lake Spring Operations and Bighorn River System Issues Group Meeting

BILLINGS, Montana -- The Bureau of Reclamation will present water supply conditions in the Bighorn Basin and discuss the agency's proposed spring operating plan for Yellowtail Dam/Bighorn Lake at a public meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Additionally, a portion of the meeting will include an Open House where a number of displays and booths will be set-up to provide participants an opportunity to interact and engage in more focused discussions and pick up informational materials.

"Our Operations and Bighorn River System Issues Group meetings provide a great forum for the public and stakeholders to ask important questions, and be a part of a larger discussion about this important water resource", said Steve Davies, Area Manager, for Reclamation's Montana Area Office. Stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to attend and take advantage of meeting with and interacting with Reclamation and partner agency staff during the open house.

The meeting will be held at the Bighorn Resort, 1801 Majestic Lane, Billings, Montana, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 4:00 p.m.

For additional information, please contact Jack Conner of the Montana Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, at (406) 247-7300.

Reclamation Announces Canyon Ferry Dam Road Closure

BILLINGS, Montana -- The Bureau of Reclamation would like to notify the public that access across Canyon Ferry Dam will be closed to all traffic Saturday, April 14, 2018, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Montana State Highway 284, at both sides of the dam, will be closed to all traffic to allow the Federal Highway Administration to conduct a required inspection of the spillway bridge. Travelers must seek alternate routes north and south of the dam during the closure period.

For more information please contact the Canyon Ferry Field Office at 406-475-3310, or visit Reclamation's website at www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/index.html.

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

BILLINGS, Montana -- Reclamation's April forecast of the April through July runoff predicted for the Bighorn Basin is as follows:

• Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,865,000 acre-feet (af), which is 160 percent of the 30 year average of 1,165,700 af.

• Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 1,050,000 af, which is 149 percent of the 30 year average of 704,400 af.

• Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 950,000 af, which is 164 percent of the 30 year average of 577,700 af.

• Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 170,000 af, which is 121 percent of the 30 year average of 140,400 af.

• Wind River - April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 650,000 af, which is 156 percent of the 30 year average of 416,300 af.

For additional information on Buffalo Bill, Boysen, and Bull Lake Reservoirs, contact Wyoming Area Manager Carlie Ronca at 307-261-5671. For additional information on Yellowtail Reservoir, contact Montana Area Manager Steve Davies at 406-247-7298.

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte River Basin

MILLS, Wyoming -- The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation has prepared the April snowmelt runoff forecasts and operating plans for the North Platte River Basin. "We anticipate the North Platte Basin water contractors will have a full water supply this year," said Wyoming Area Manager, Carlie Ronca.

The April forecasts indicate the spring snowmelt runoff will be below average. Total April through July runoff in the North Platte River Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 715,000 acre-feet (AF) which is 78% of the 30-year average.

As of March 31, 2018, storage content in the North Platte Reservoirs amounts to 2,190,053 AF, which is 132% of the 30-year average. The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2.8 million AF.

Current releases are 2,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Seminoe Reservoir through the Miracle Mile, 1,000 cfs out of Gray Reef, and the release out of Guernsey Reservoir is expected to begin on April 23. Based on current projections, for the months of April, May, June, and July the releases out of Seminoe Reservoir are not expected to exceed 3,000 cfs, flows out of Gray Reef are expected to be in the range of approximately 1,000 to 3,000 cfs and releases from Guernsey will be in the 3,000 to 5,300 cfs range. Pathfinder Reservoir is not expected to spill this spring.

Boysen Reservoir Water Information Meeting Scheduled

MILLS, Wyoming -- The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a Boysen Reservoir Water Information Meeting in Worland, Wyoming.

The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, at the Elks Lodge at 604 Coburn Avenue, Worland, Wyoming. Topics of discussion will be current water supply conditions, the 2018 snowmelt runoff forecast, and 2018 projected reservoir operations.

For more information, please contact Mahonri Williams, at 307-261-5624, or mlwilliams@usbr.gov.

Buffalo Bill Reservoir Water Information Meeting Scheduled

MILLS, Wyoming -- The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a Buffalo Bill Reservoir Water Information Meeting in Powell, Wyoming.

The meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, at the Eagles Lodge at 131 N. Clark Street, Powell, Wyoming. Topics of discussion will be current water supply conditions, the 2018 snowmelt runoff forecast, and 2018 projected reservoir operations.

For more information, please contact Mahonri Williams, at 307-261-5624, or mlwilliams@usbr.gov.

Reclamation to Host Public Meeting on North Platte Water Operations

MILLS, Wyoming -- The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a North Platte River Water Information Meeting in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 11, at the Scottsbluff Panhandle Station Auditorium, Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The meeting is being held to apprise water users and other interested parties of the reservoir storage and current water supply conditions. Information regarding snowmelt runoff and expected reservoir operations for water year 2018 will be presented.

Reclamation Notifies Public of Rising Water Levels at Alcova Reservoir Due to Annual Filling

MILLS, Wyo. -- The Bureau of Reclamation announced they will begin the annual filling of Alcova Reservoir on Sunday, April 1, 2018.

Recreationists and reservoir users are advised to take proper precautions associated with the rising reservoir level.

During April, the reservoir will rise approximately 10 feet to the summer irrigation operating level. The rate of rise will average approximately 5 inches per day. Upon reaching the summer irrigation operating level, the reservoir will remain at elevation 5498 feet plus or minus 1 foot until October 1, 2018. This increase in reservoir level will be completed by May 1 to allow deliveries to the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District canal.

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Reclamation's March forecast of the April through July runoff predicted for the Bighorn Basin is as follows:

• Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,841,400 acre-feet (af), which is 158 percent of the 30 year average of 1,165,700 af.

• Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 1,050,000 af, which is 149 percent of the 30 year average of 704,400 af.

• Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 950,000 af, which is 164 percent of the 30 year average of 577,700 af.

• Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 170,000 af, which is 121 percent of the 30 year average of 140,400 af.

• Wind River – April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 600,000 af, which is 144 percent of the 30 year average of 416,300 af.

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for North Platte River Basin

MILLS, Wyo - The Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyo, has prepared the March snowmelt runoff forecasts and operating plans for the North Platte River Basin.

The March forecasts indicate the spring snowmelt runoff will be below average. Total April through July runoff in the North Platte River Basin above Glendo Dam is expected to be 715,000 acre-feet (af), which is 78 percent of the 30-year average.

As of February 28, storage content in the North Platte Reservoirs amounts to 2,125,352 af, which is 134 percent of the 30-year average. The total conservation storage capacity of the North Platte Reservoir System is approximately 2,815,800 af.

Current releases are 530 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Seminoe Reservoir through the Miracle Mile, 500 cfs from Gray Reef Reservoir, and 0 cfs from Guernsey Reservoir. Between March 12 and March 21, flows in the river below Gray Reef Dam will fluctuate from 500 cfs to 4000 cfs to improve trout reproduction in the river. That schedule may be modified depending on river ice conditions. Reclamation will update the inflow forecasts again in April and May.

For additional information on the North Platte Basin snowmelt forecast, contact the Wyoming Area Office at 307-261-5671.

Reclamation Announces Canyon Ferry Dam Road Closure

BILLINGS, Mont. - The Bureau of Reclamation would like to notify the public that access across Canyon Ferry Dam will be closed to all traffic beginning Tuesday, March 20, through Friday, March 23, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

Montana State Highway 284, at both sides of the dam, will be closed to all traffic to conduct crane operations necessary to complete required maintenance to the dam. Travelers must seek alternate routes north and south of the dam during the closure period.

For more information please contact the Canyon Ferry Field Office at 406-475-3310, or visit Reclamation's website at http://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao.

Bureau of Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, Proposed First Increment Extension

Billings, Montana -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, Proposed First Increment Extension. Reclamation, working with the states of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska, water users, and environmental and conservation organizations, proposes to extend the First Increment of the basin-wide, cooperative Recovery Implementation Program by 13 years. Reclamation is doing this to meet its obligations under the Endangered Species Act.

The purpose of this action is to continue implementing projects that provide additional water, in order to accomplish the following:

Reduce flow shortages in the Platte River aimed at conforming with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service target flows
Continue land management activities necessary to provide habitat for target threatened and endangered species
Continue integrated monitoring, research, and adaptive management, in order to assess the progress of the program and inform future management decisions

Reclamation will hold four public open houses during the 45-day review period to gather comments from other agencies, interested parties, and the public on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI. The public open houses are scheduled as follows (All meetings will be held 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and include a presentation at 6:30 p.m.):

March 14, 2018, at Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Executive Director's Office, 4111 4th Avenue, Suite 6, Kearney, Nebraska
March 15, 2018, at Ramada Midtown, 2503 S. Locust Street, Grand Island, Nebraska
March 20, 2018, Goshen County Fair Grounds, 7078 Fairgrounds Road, Torrington, Wyoming
March 21, 2018, at The Ranch Events Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, Colorado (Located in the Larimer County Conference Center; park in Lot B)

At each open house, the public will have the opportunity to provide written input on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI.

Written comments are due by close of business April 14, 2018. Members of the public may submit written comments at the public open houses, via email to platteriver@usbr.gov, or by mail to:

Bureau of Reclamation
Attention: Brock Merrill
P.O. Box 950
Torrington, WY 82240

For additional information, please visit the project website at www.usbr.gov/gp/nepa/platte_river/index.html.

Fluctuation of North Platte River Flow Downstream of Gray Reef Dam

MILLS, Wyo. -- The Bureau of Reclamation, in response to a request from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, has scheduled a series of fluctuating flows in the North Platte River downstream of Gray Reef Dam.

The purpose of the fluctuations is to improve trout reproduction in the river. This spring, the Wyoming Game & Fish has requested flows for ten consecutive days.

On March 12, flows in the river below Gray Reef Dam will fluctuate from 500 cfs to 4000 cfs according to the following schedule:

HOURS	GRAY REEF OUTFLOWS (cfs)
00:01 to 01:00 a.m.	500
01:00 to 03:00 a.m.	2,000
03:00 to 07:00 a.m.	4,000
07:00 to 08:00 a.m.	3,000
08:00 to 09:00 a.m.	2,000
09:00 to 10:00 a.m.	1,000
10:00 to midnight	500

This schedule will be repeated daily on March 13 through March 21. After completing the flushing flow on March 21, the flows below Gray Reef Dam will return to 500 cfs. The schedule may be modified depending on river ice conditions.

The flushing flows are expected to clean the spawning gravels of fine sediment which has accumulated over the winter. The fluctuations in the river flow will be achieved without loss of power generation and the water released from Alcova Reservoir will be restored downstream in Glendo Reservoir.

The public is urged to use caution during this period of rapid fluctuation of flows below Gray Reef Dam.

Reclamation Issues Snowmelt Forecast for Bighorn River Basin

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Reclamation's March forecast of the April through July runoff predicted for the Bighorn Basin is as follows:

• Bighorn Lake - Bighorn River April through July inflow to Bighorn Lake is forecast at 1,771,200 acre-feet (af), which is 152 percent of the 30 year average of 1,165,700 af.

• Buffalo Bill Reservoir - Shoshone River April through July inflow to Buffalo Bill Reservoir is forecast at 1,000,000 af, which is 142 percent of the 30 year average of 704,400 af.

• Boysen Reservoir - Wind River April through July inflow to Boysen Reservoir is forecast at 900,000 af, which is 156 percent of the 30 year average of 577,700 af.

• Bull Lake Reservoir - April through July snowmelt runoff into Bull Lake Reservoir from Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 170,000 af, which is 121 percent of the 30 year average of 140,400 af.

• Wind River – April through July snowmelt runoff into the Wind River above Bull Lake Creek is expected to be 600,000 af, which is 144 percent of the 30 year average of 416,300 af.