Milk River Basin - Water Supply Forecasts

As of April 1, 2008, slightly below normal natural runoff volumes are forecast for the March to September 2008 period in the Milk River basin (Table 2a). Current forecasts in the basin range from 76 to 81% of the median. For the Milk River at Milk River, current forecasted values for the March to September 2008 period would rank 31st lowest in 91 years of record (1912-2001).

Forecasts are 8 to 12% lower than those published on March 1. Precipitation during March was much below normal.

The first month of the forecast period has been completed, with March 2008 recorded natural runoff volumes ranging from 41 to 62% of median, which is below to much below normal. Recorded volume data is preliminary, due to ice effects, and is subject to change. March volumes typically comprise a small portion of the March to September total. The remaining volume forecast, which is the March to September 2008 forecast minus the recorded volume to date, is available in Table 2b. This forecast is for below normal to normal April to September 2008 natural runoff volumes, at 85% of the median.