Milk River Basin - Water Supply Forecasts

As of May 1, 2007, below average natural runoff volumes are forecast for the March to September 2007 period in the Milk River basin (Table 3a). Current forecasts in the basin range from 66 to 76% of the median, 0 to 9% higher than volumes recorded during the March through September 2006 period. Forecasts decreased significantly since April 1 forecasts were published, by 16 to 18%. For the Milk River at Milk River, current forecasted values for the March to September 2007 period would rank 35th lowest in 91 years of record (1912-2001).

The first two months of the forecast period have been completed, with March-April 2007 recorded natural runoff volumes ranging from 66 to 83% of median, which is below average at Milk River and Eastern Crossing, and below average to average at Western Crossing. Recorded volume data is preliminary, and is subject to change. The remaining volume forecast, which is the March to September 2007 forecast minus the recorded volume to date, is available in Table 3b. Below average natural runoff volumes are forecast for the May to September 2007 period.