Moderate Potential For Flooding during Spring Runoff in Star Valley

Wyoming Spring 2014 Snowmelt Flood Potential Outlook---March 25th

Quick Synopsis:

Mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents (SWEs) across Wyoming continued to be above average (at 130% of median) by the middle of March.  SWEs at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations (8,000’ – 9.500’) continued to be the highest across basins along the northern third of Wyoming at 135 to 160 percent of median.  The Upper Green Basin had SWEs at 150 to 160 percent of median by the middle of March.

This outlook is based on various diverse hydrological factors such as snow water equivalents (SWEs) in the mountain snowpack, basin morphology (i.e. how basins respond to snowmelt), extent of burn scars from 2012 and 2013 fires, amount of bark beetle kill, soil moisture trends, and likely temperature and precipitation trends during late spring/early summer. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

…Moderate to High potential for flooding associated with snowmelt runoff is expected across various headwater streams along the central and southern Big Horn Mountains.  Streams with the highest potential for flooding include:  Middle Fork of the Powder River (Kaycee), Medicine Lodge Creek, Ten Sleep Creek (Ten Sleep), and Nowood River (Manderson)…

… Moderate to High potential for flooding due to snowmelt is also expected along the Encampment River near Encampment/Riverside, the North Platte River at Saratoga, and the Little Snake River near Savery/Baggs….

… Moderate to High potential for flooding associated with snowmelt runoff is forecasted along the Wind River near Riverton, the North Fork Shoshone River near Wapiti, and the South Fork the Shoshone River downstream of Valley…

…Moderate potential for flooding due to springtime snowmelt is expected along Clear Creek near Buffalo, Little and Big Goose Creeks near Sheridan, Salt River and tributary streams, and various headwater streams along the Upper Green Basin…   

The next graphical outlook will be issued around the 28^th of April.