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Reservoir—percent of operating pool
Headwater snowpack—percent of median for this date
Seasonal runoff forecast—percent of normal for the forecast period
Water-year precipitation—percent of median for this date
LOWER WATER MIDDLE RANGE HIGHER WATER
FLOWS AHEAD
Bighorn River water outlook.
See how snowpack, reservoir levels and past seasons may affect river flows and your fishing plans.
Loading live river data…
Afterbay flow—cfs
Below Afterbay temp—°F
Reservoir—%
30-day direction—trend
See river conditions CALCULATING
Building the water outlook…
Loading reservoir, snowpack and flow readings.
01Snow + precipitationPotential future inflow
→02Reservoir + inflowAvailable water and space
→03Release decisionsManaged river flow
→04Where to fishWhere and how trout feed
SNOW WATER
Snowpack compared with past years
Headwater snowpack100% median
Loading water-year snow history…
RESERVOIR CAPACITY
What does a full reservoir mean?
The percent-full reading compares storage with the operating pool, about 1.01 million acre-feet. The larger total capacity also includes space reserved for flood control and surcharge storage.
Current storage—Operating pool1,011,052 acre-feetTotal physical capacity1,312,390 acre-feet
Current storage
Additional flood-control + surcharge spaceOperating storage
ADJUST TO THE WATER
Where to start at different flows
Keep the presentation quiet
Lower water can leave fewer side channels connected and more weeds exposed. Try smaller indicators, less weight and longer leaders on smooth water. Keep checking the water temperature.
Watch the hatch and recent flows
Start with the monthly guide, then adjust to the insects you see and the last three days of flow readings. Try the water below riffles and the seams along the main channel.
Look for shelter from the current
Try bank seams, inside bends, island edges and sheltered channels. You may need a longer rig and a more visible lead fly. Position the boat carefully so you can control the drift.
Calculating comparable years…
NEXT FEW DAYS
Weather around Fort Smith
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Something we should correct?
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