- Water restrictions will remain in place through May 1, 2026.
- Snowpack and runoff are well below normal levels.
- Junior water users may face limits on diversions.
- A summer allocation for irrigators is likely.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 — Yesterday, Wyoming State Engineer Brandon Gebhart confirmed that priority administration will continue along parts of the North Platte River system
due to ongoing drought and weak winter conditions.
This action follows Wyoming water law, which requires that older, or “senior,” water rights be protected first when supplies are limited. In this case, water rights tied to storage in federal reservoirs take priority over newer users.
The reason is simple. Snowpack this winter came in below average, and rivers are not carrying as much water as expected. At the same time, reservoirs entered the season already low after several dry years. Together, those factors are squeezing the system.
Runoff Forecast Falls Far Short.
Forecasts show just over 550,000 acre-feet of water available in key stretches of the river. That is only about half of the 1.1 million acre-feet typically needed for a full supply year.
Because of that gap, the state must limit certain water uses. These limits mainly affect junior water rights, which often include some towns, industries, and smaller storage operations.
Officials have already notified affected users and encouraged them to review their water supplies. Some may need to secure additional water through temporary agreements or transfers to meet demand.
Cities and Irrigators Prepare for Shortages.
Many communities in the basin have planned ahead over the years. Since 2001, several municipalities have arranged backup water supplies in case their primary rights fall short.
Even so, this year could be tight. Additional forecasts will be released in May and June. If conditions do not improve, irrigation along parts of the river could be limited under a formal allocation system.
In past dry years, irrigators were capped at 6,600 acre-feet every two weeks during the summer season. Early signs suggest similar limits may return in 2026.
What Happens Next.
State officials will continue monitoring snowpack, runoff, and reservoir levels closely. Water commissioners will work directly with affected users to manage the situation on the ground.
Local water restrictions may also appear in some communities, though those decisions are made at the local level, not by the state.
For now, the message is clear. The North Platte River system is entering another challenging year, and careful management will be necessary to stretch limited supplies through the months ahead.
Photo of North Platte River in Wyoming.jpg "Opens in a new tab.")
by Brady Owen, BLM.
