North Platte Water Conditions

Below is a link to an article in today's Casper Start Tribune discussing the night and day differences between our water supply from this year to last. Record highs last year followed by record lows this year will make things interesting.

Wyoming's Meager Spring Runoff

A quick summary of the North Platte River Drainage...1800cfs entering Seminoe,(some folks feel the peak runoff is already over) which is at 83% of capacity and the first reservoir on the North Platte River system. 1000cfs departing Seminoe into Kortes, Kortes is full and that same 1000cfs discharging from Kortes into Miracle Mile. 1000cfs entering Pathfinder at 87% of capacity. Pathfinder's capacity was increased significantly last winter by raising the spillway several feet. Pathfinder Dam is releasing 1450cfs down Fremont Canyon, not including the water being diverted to the power plant. We aren't sure of the reasons for the big water in Fremont but aren't complaining. Alcova Reservoir is full and this is where the math becomes interesting for early May. 2300cfs out of Alcova into Grey Reef and down the Grey Reef section of the North Platte River. Glendo is at 87% and 4000cfs pushing through Wendover Canyon.

May 12 seems early to be pushing so much irrigation water into eastern Wyoming and Nebraska?

Keep in mind that Seminoe and Pathfinder are both million acre foot facilities.  Lots of water above us!

I have been doing a bunch of digging the past week and the soil is like dust. The dry spring has been helpful in the weed department so far. These are the types of years that thunderstorms can cause big issues. One of my big concerns is the tiny culvert that the BLM placed in the "temporary", now seemingly permanent road at the Bretty Place. I can see that becoming a problem in a downpour.

All in all the fishing is amazing and will continue. We should see great caddis and stonefly activity along with our typical PMD, trico and psuedo hatches.

2300cfs is very wadable but a boat is a great way to access the goods. The Reef Fly Shop has Clackacraft driftboats available to rent.