News Release
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Wyoming District
Release date Internet location of release September 01, 2000 http://wy.water.usgs.gov/news/html/090100.htm Contact Address District Chief 2617 E. Lincolnway, Ste. B Surface-Water Specialist Cheyenne, WY 82001-5662 E-mail Phone Fax state_rep_wy@usgs.gov (307)778-2931 (307)778-2764
Data in this release are preliminary. Final data will be published in the yearly publication, WATER RESOURCES DATA, WYOMING
NOTES TO EDITOR: (1) ft3/sec is an abbreviation for cubic feet per second which is the rate of discharge representing a volume of a cubic foot of water passing a given point during one second and is equivalent to 7.48 gallons per second or 448.8 gallons per minute.
WYOMING STREAMFLOWS DECLINE AS DROUGHT CONTINUES
Average monthly discharges for August were much less than normal at four U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in Wyoming. Streamflows ranged from 69 percent of the the 30-year average at a station on the Tongue River to 35 percent of the 30-year average at a station on the North Platte River. Flows at these stations generally are unaffected by regulation or diversions. These natural streamflows exemplify the drought conditions across the State.
Preliminary mean streamflow data for the month of August for selected streamflow
gaging stations operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in Wyoming.
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August 1961-90 Percent of
USGS streamflow gaging station monthly Average 1961-90
--------------------------------------- mean monthly Average
Number Name discharge discharge discharge
(ft3/sec) (ft3/sec)
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06280300 South Fork Shoshone River, 181 384 47
near Valley, WY
06298000 Tongue River near Dayton, WY 74.2 108 69
06630000 North Platte River above Seminoe 191 553 35
Reservoir, near Sinclair, WY
09210500 Fontenelle Creek near Herschler 21.1 38 56
Ranch, near Fontenelle, WY
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A new web site devoted to tracking drought conditions in Wyoming has been established by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Wyoming Drought Watch web site contains information on current streamflows around the state, as well as how those data relate to historical measurements. In addition, links to graphical descriptions and reports on droughts in Wyoming can be found. Also located on the web site are links to National Drought Information, the Climate Prediction Center, and Wyoming Weather.
Since 1895, the USGS has collected streamflow data at more than 2,000 sites throughout Wyoming. About 150 streamflow data collection stations currently are in operation. The data are collected in cooperation with many local, State, and Federal agencies.
The USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disaster; contribute to the sound conservation, economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources; and to enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.Additional information, including current streamflow conditions in Wyoming, can be found by accessing the Water Resources of Wyoming on the World Wide Web at: http://wy.water.usgs.gov/
Or contact:USGS Wyoming State Representative
2617 E. Lincolnway, Suite B
Cheyenne, WY 82001-5662
Phone: (307) 778-2931
FAX: (307) 778-2764
Email: state_rep_wy@usgs.gov
The URL for this page is: http://wy.water.usgs.gov/news/html/090100.htm