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Weekly Update

Missouri Basin Weekly update. This graphic changes each week but contains a 4-part graphic that provides a brief status update of the basin runoff forecast. Some of the graphics come from other agencies and can be found below in more detail. Key factors influencing the runoff forecast include reservoir storage, plains and mountain snowpack accumulation, recent rainfall, soil saturation, and the climate outlook. This same chart is available in a 508 compliant pdf format by clicking this image and following the link. There are also links in this graphic such as the Gavins Point release forecast and the three week forecast.

System Storage Comparison

System storage comparison graphic - this graphic shows in a red line the current total amount of water in storage in the 6 Missouri River Mainstem reservoirs. The amount in storage is compared to each of the reservoir storage zones as well as the system's peak storage and minimum storage. Trendlines also show the forecast for the current year, the previous year, as well as the average and occasionally other significant runoff years or events will be spotlighted. This graphic is updated monthly and links to a 508 compliant readable pdf.

Fort Peck Storage Comparison

Fort Peck Storage Elevation Comparison plot - this graphic shows in a red line the current total amount of water in storage in Fort Peck Reservoir. The amount in storage is compared to each of the reservoir storage zones as well as the reservoir's peak storage and minimum storage. Trendlines also show the forecast for the current year, the previous year, as well as the average and occasionally other significant runoff years or events will be spotlighted. This graphic is updated monthly and links to a 508 compliant readable pdf. If the link doesn't go directly to the appropriate page, page 2 shows the Fort Peck storage comparison plot.

Garrison Storage Comparison

Garrison Storage Elevation Comparison plot - this graphic shows in a red line the current total amount of water in storage in Garrison Reservoir. The amount in storage is compared to each of the reservoir storage zones as well as the reservoir's peak storage and minimum storage. Trendlines also show the forecast for the current year, the previous year, as well as the average and occasionally other significant runoff years or events will be spotlighted. This graphic is updated monthly and links to a 508 compliant readable pdf. If the link doesn't go directly to the appropriate page, page 3 shows the Garrson storage comparison plot.

Oahe Storage Comparison

Oahe Storage Elevation Comparison plot - this graphic shows in a red line the current total amount of water in storage in Oahe Reservoir. The amount in storage is compared to each of the reservoir storage zones as well as the reservoir's peak storage and minimum storage. Trendlines also show the forecast for the current year, the previous year, as well as the average and occasionally other significant runoff years or events will be spotlighted. This graphic is updated monthly and links to a 508 compliant readable pdf. If the link doesn't go directly to the appropriate page, page 4 shows the Oahe storage comparison plot.

NWS Radar

NWS River/Tributary Flood Forecast

 
Regional flooding forecasts are issued by the National Weather Service Missouri Basin River Forecast Center.  The Significant River Flood Outlook routinely includes 120 hours (5 days) of forecast precipitation throughout the year.

Notice:  The MBRFC Significant Flood Outlook is intended to provide a general outlook for significant river flooding.  It is not intended to depict all small-scale events such as localized flooding and/or flash flooding.  This graphic will not depict minor river flooding as this implies only minimal or no property damage with possibly some public inconvenience.  Please refer to products issued by local NWS offices for official river forecasts and warnings.

5-Day Flood Outlook Potential

NWS Missouri River Basin Forecast Center
5-Day Flood Outlook Potential (120-hours of forecast precip.) (click for larger image)
5-Day Flood Outlook Potential

Drought Monitor

United States Drought Monitor

The drought map is an animation showing the past 6-weeks of drought maps from the U.S. Drought Monitor website.
US Drought Monitor

Soil Moisture

Climate Prediction Center Soil Moisture

Calculated Soil Moisture from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center (Click for larger image)
Calculated Soil Moisture from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center

Precipitation Past 24 Hours

NWS Missouri River Basin Forecast Center
Past 24-hours precipitation (click for larger image)
past24hr.png

Precipitation Past 120 Hours

NWS Missouri River Basin Forecast Center
Past 120-hours precipitation (Click for larger image)
past120hr.png

Monthly Precipitation Probability

NWS Climate Prediction Center
One month outlook precipitation probability (click for larger image)
One month outlook precipitation probability

Mountain Snowpack

Normally by April 15, mountain snowpack reaches its peak accumulation. The total percent of average SWE accumulation are shown the first of each month through May. From May to July, percentages are a percent of the peak SWE accumulation for the year indicating the snow remaining to melt.

The image is updated regularly from October - typically through April as mountain snow begins to accumulate in the reaches above Garrison and Fort Peck. The plots show the accumulation of snow water equivalent each month along a trendline. A solid blue graphic shows the current accumulation red is the average. Blue is the peak accumulation green is the minimum accumulation and occasionally other significant year's accumulation trendlines will be noted. A pdf 508 readable text version is available at the link.

SNOTEL Mountain snowpack snow water equivalent station data is provided by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

Snow Water Equivalent