PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (WY) Weekly Drought Update

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2012 06:16:57 EDT

Summary: Drought continues in Wyoming as extreme or worse drought conditions have held constant for the last four weeks over 58 percent of the State.

The U.S. Drought Monitor for October 9 categorized all of Wyoming as experiencing moderate or worse drought intensity, unchanged for the last four weeks. About 58 percent of the State comprising much of the Wind, Bighorn, Cheyenne, North Platte, and Green River basins is in extreme drought conditions, constant since September 11.

Daily mean streamflows at 55 of 67 streamgages with 30 or more years of data are below normal, a increase of 38 percent over the last two weeks. Record 7-day low flows are being observed at three streamgages in operation up to 60 years.

USGS personnel measured streamflow at 9 streamgages in the last two weeks to document shifted stage-discharge ratings. Two ratings were extended. Temporary measures are being taken at one streamgage where stream levels will drop below the existing infrastructure in the coming month.


Sub-Region: Mountain West; Region: