Despite heavy snow, water short in N. Platte River

The Wyoming State Engineer's Office expects more calls on water rights in the North Platte River drainage in the months ahead despite recent heavy snowfall in the river headwaters. Hydrologists continue to forecast less water storage than the amount needed for irrigation. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation predicts that upcoming runoff combined with existing water in Pathfinder and Guernsey reservoirs through July will total 800,000 acre-feet. That's only 72% of the amount needed for irrigation. An acre-foot is enough water to cover an acre with 1 foot of water. In February, State Engineer Pat Tyrrell issued the first wintertime call on water rights for Wyoming's portion of the river in eight years. The purpose was to help fill the reservoirs and Tyrrell lifted the call May 1 as planned.