Buffalo
Watershed Hydrology
The Buffalo Watershed covers an area of approximately 1,119 square miles in northwestern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. The hydrology of the watershed is marked by its headwaters in the high-elevation peaks of the Bighorn Mountains and its eventual discharge into the Yellowstone River. The watershed is known for its specific snowpack, which accumulates in the winter months and provides important water resources for the region in the spring and summer. Surface water in the watershed is primarily sourced from snowmelt and precipitation, with the Yellowstone River serving as the primary outlet. Reservoirs in the watershed, such as the Yellowtail Dam on the Bighorn River, provide important water storage for irrigation, hydropower, and recreation. Interesting climatic facts and trends in the watershed include its high elevation and cold winters, which contribute to the snowpack, and increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, which may impact water availability and ecosystem health in the future.