Milk River Basin - Water Supply Forecasts

As of May 1, 2008, 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 57 to 71% of the median. For the Milk River at Milk River, current forecasted values for the March to September 2008 period would rank 27th lowest in 91 years of record (1912-2001).

Forecasts are 10 to 19% lower than those published on April 1. Precipitation during March and April has been much below normal.

The first two months of the forecast period have been completed, with March-April 2008 recorded natural runoff volumes ranging from 35 to 56% of median, which is below to much below normal. Recorded volume data is preliminary, due to ice effects, and is subject to change. March-April volumes typically comprise approximately 40% 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 May to September 2008 natural runoff volumes, at approximately 85% of the median.