Wyoming Framework Water Plan - Living Rivers Home Page

7.0 AVAILABILITY
hydrologic conditions. A detailed description of this work is contained in the hydrology technical
memoranda associated with the individual plans.
7.1.5 Basin Supply Estimates
The following subsections contain basin planning area presentations of the physically available
flows and legally available flows. Physically available flows were determined for all of the river basin
planning areas except the Platte River. Legally available flows were not estimated for all of the river
basin planning areas, therefore, Figures 7-1 through 7-7 present physically available flow. The planning
area flows for all of the basins except the Platte River Basin are shown in Table 7-2. The flow estimates
were prepared for three hydrologic conditions: wet, normal, and dry. More detailed discussions of
hydrology for each of these six basins are contained in the basin plan final reports and technical
memoranda.
Bear River Basin
The Bear River Basin planning area flows are shown in Table 7–2. The physically available
flows and legally available flows were prepared for three hydrologic conditions, wet, normal, and dry.
Physically available flows and the location of the estimated flows are presented on Figure 7-1.
Green River Basin
Table 7-2 indicates that there is significant physically available flow in the Green and Little
Snake Rivers. Figure 7-2 shows the locations where flows were determined to physically exist for the
Green River. Figure 7-3 shows the flows and their locations for the Little Snake River. During the Green
River Basin study, estimates of legally available flow were not prepared.
Northeast Wyoming River Basins
Physically available flow estimates and the location of the flow estimates are displayed on Figure
7-4. Table 7-2 indicates that there is very limited legally available surface water in the Northeast
Wyoming River Basin planning area. During the Northeast Wyoming study, estimates for legally
available flows were prepared for only the Belle Fourche River and Redwater Creek. No flow estimates
were prepared for the Little Missouri River and Niobrara River.
Platte River Basin
Flow estimates were not made for the Platte River Basin during the river basin planning effort.
Hydrologic information was provided through the Nebraska v Wyoming lawsuit. In the framework
planning effort, North Platte River flows were estimated for the three hydrologic conditions, wet, normal,
and dry, based on USGS gaged flow data. The Platte River system is fully appropriated. In the Platte
River system, there is very limited legally available surface water in the planning area under normal
conditions. A water supply based on a current-day water right filing would be in priority and able to be
utilized only during extremely wet hydrologic conditions due to water rights administration and therefore
would be of little value.
Powder/Tongue River Basin
Physically available flow estimates and the location of the estimated flows are displayed on
Figure 7-5. Table 7-2 indicates that there is considerable legally available flow in the Powder River and
7-6