Experts predict below average runoff in Wyoming

Early predictions by federal hydrologists foresee below average mountain runoff in Wyoming this year because of a dearth of snow so far this winter.

Based on current snowfall in the mountains, hydrologists estimate that Wyoming's runoff this year will be about 81 percent of average.

The U.S. Agriculture Department's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Casper released its first spring runoff estimate on Tuesday. The agency will issue additional estimates into June.

The snowpack statewide so far this winter is 80 percent of average. Last year at this time the snowpack was 114 percent of average and continued to grow into May, causing widespread flooding throughout the state last spring and summer.

The good news is that reservoirs in the state are still 92 percent full from last year's runoff.