February Missouri River Monthly Update

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The graphic is a split screen with a snowscape showing plains snow and mountain snow with snow in the clouds. and statements that say. Plains Snow - snowmelt is typically complete by mid-April. Snow Melt - the rate of snowmelt and how much becomes runoff can be impacted by rainfall, air temperatures, and soil moisture. Mountain Snow - begins to accumulate in October. Snowmelt is typically complete by July. Base Flows - river stages will be higher when the soil is saturated and lower when the soil is dry. The left side of the graphic is the Mountain snow accumulation - Mountain Snowpack Water Content 2022-2023 with comparison plots from recent high and low years On February 5, 2023 the mountain Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) in the "Total above Fort Peck" reach is 10.7" and 105% of the (1991-2020) average. The mountain SWE in the "Fort Peck to Garrison" reach is 9.0" and 97% of the (1991-2020) average. The normal peak for both reaches occurs near April 17. *Minimum peak SWE between 1991-2020 occurred in 2015 above Fort Peck, and in 2001 between Fort Peck and Garrison. Maximum peak SWE between 1991-2020 occurred in 2011 above Fort Peck, and in 1997 between Fort Peck and Garrison.
At the bottom right is the current forecast 2023
Runoff forecast* 21.1 MAF - 82% of Avg.*FEB. 2023 Forecast Jan 2023 Forecast 20.8 MAF

February Missouri River Monthly Update

The Elements of Runoff - Mountain snowpack data for Upper Missouri River Basin Runoff - plains snow melt is typically complete by April. Mountain snow begins to accumulate in October, peaks in April and snowmelt is usually complete by mid-July. The February runoff forecast is 21.1 million acre feet.

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Tags: water management, Missouri River

Photo by: Eileen Williamson | VIRIN: 230206-A-RO090-001.JPG

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