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Tongue/Powder River Basin (Overview) HUC# 100901, 100902Basin Geography:The Powder and Tongue Rivers are major tributaries to the Yellowstone River. The Powder River originates in east-central Wyoming and flows north to Montana. It is fed to the west by the perennial streams of the Bighorn range and from the east by ephemeral streams. In comparison, the Tongue River to the north is fed by Bighorn range runoff exclusively. Both streams experience a vast majority of their runoff in the spring. Lake DeSmet on Piney Creek has a capacity of 239,000 acre-ft. Additional storage in the basin would be necessary for Wyoming to put its full compact allocations to beneficial use. Several state sponsored storage projects are under consideration in the region. Outside the towns of Buffalo and Sheridan the region is characterized by a rangeland environment. Irrigation is generally limited to areas near the perennial stream courses. Due to limited storage, late summer water supplies are limited. Coal mining, as well as oil and gas development, is present in the basin. Sulfate concentrations in river flows have been measured at high levels due to industrial development and natural conditions. Sulfate concentrations are also high in the structural aquifers underlying the basin. While these groundwater resources are vast they exhibit low permeability and experience contamination from industry. Relevant Compacts and Decrees: According to the Yellowstone River Compact of 1950, Wyoming is entitled to 40% of Tongue River flows and 42% of Powder River Flows. Pre-1950 water rights are guaranteed. Sources: Jacobs, James & Donald Brosz. 1993. Wyoming's Water Resources. University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Bulletin B-969, Laramie, WY. pp 4. US Geological Survey. 1985. National Water Summary-Wyoming: Surface Water Resources,Water Supply Paper 2300. pp. 494. US Geological Survey. 1990. National Water Summary-Wyoming: Stream Water Quality, Water Supply Paper 2400. pp. 572. US Geological Survey. 1984. National Water Summary-Wyoming: Groundwater Resources, Water Supply Paper 2275. pp. 456. Wyoming Water Development Commission & Wyoming State Engineer's Office. 1996. Wyoming Water Planning: A Report for Updating the Process. Cheyenne, WY. pp.15.
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