Below normal runoff in the Missouri River Basin
3/9/2023 2:05:21 AM
CATEGORIES:
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Iowa
Montana
North Dakota
Nebraska
South Dakota
Start Date: 2/1/2023
- End Date: 2/28/2023
February runoff into the Missouri River above Sioux City, Iowa continued to be below normal at 1 million acre-feet, 86% of average. The 2023 runoff is forecast to be 21.5 MAF, 84% of the average of 25.7 MAF.
Mountain snowpack that feeds the upper river basin as spring meltwater is near average and ranged from 101% of average to 104% on March 1. The amount of water stored in the river's six reservoirs was 46.0 MAF, below the flood control zone that starts at 56.1 MAF. There is enough water in the river for water supply needs, in spite of the low runoff totals and ongoing water conservation measures, per the corps.
Sioux City Journal (Iowa), March 8, 2023
Sources
