The Lower Platte Shell Watershed covers approximately 2,417 square miles in northeastern Wyoming. The watershed is primarily composed of agricultural land, with some forested areas and oil and gas development. The hydrology of the watershed is characterized by the North and South Platte Rivers, which converge near the town of Casper. The watershed receives an average annual precipitation of around 14 inches, with the majority of that falling as snow during the winter months. The snowpack in the watershed is an important source of water for irrigation, drinking water, and other uses. The surface water in the watershed is managed by several reservoirs, including Glendo Reservoir and Guernsey Reservoir. The climatic trends in the watershed over the past several decades have included increased temperatures and more variable precipitation patterns, which have impacted the amount and timing of snowmelt and streamflow.