Posted: Friday, June 24, 2005 12:00 am
CHEYENNE (AP) - Reservoirs are filling, cities have enough water, and the fire danger is lower than in recent years.
Members of the Governor's Drought Management Task Force heard the encouraging news during the group's first meeting of the year this week.
State Climatologist Jan Curtis reported that while the short-term drought has ended, the long-term drought continues and won't change until next spring's runoff.
But water supplies are surplus or normal in all river basins except the North Platte, Snake and northeast drainages, he said.
Bill Crapser, the state forester, predicted a normal fire season for the state, thanks mainly to recent rains. But the increased moisture has spurred vigorous plant growth, which combined with insect damage to trees and disease might favor fire conditions later in the summer, he said.
Drying winds and lightning could trigger wildfires, but a continued pattern of rain showers could reduce fire risk, task force members were told.
Several reservoirs in Wyoming are full or approaching full, including Buffalo Bill, High Savery, Tongue River, Boysen, Bull Lake, Pilot Butte and Big Sandy.
Some, such as in the North Platte River system, are hurting because they experience much more demand than those farther west. Alcova and Seminoe have not stored any new water in five years.
"We have an irrigation district that's basically living on water stored six years ago," said John Lawson, state director of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the reservoirs.
State Engineer Pat Tyrrell said water regulations this year have been much less restrictive than during the past four years. But he said the long-term drought is not over yet.
"I don't think anyone can say we're out of drought or that we can cease managing our water well," he said. "We should enjoy the water while we've got it but not let our guard down."
No cities or towns have reported trouble with water supply this year, according to John Barnes with the state engineer's office.