Nevada Snow Survey Streamflow Forecasts NV-Snow-forecasts NV-Snow-forecasts

A streamflow forecast is a prediction of water volume that will flow past a point on a stream during a specified season, typically in the spring and summer. These forecasts help water managers and farmers prepare for the spring runoff. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) issues water supply forecasts for hundreds of points in the western United States near the first of the month between January and June each year and at other times as requested. In Nevada and Eastern California a full set of streamflow forecasts are issued shortly after the first of the month. A smaller sub-set of forecasts are typically issued mid-month. The below products present streamflow forecasts as tables, graphics and maps.

To learn more about how streamflow forecasts are made and how to interpret them, click here.

Charts from past years allow you to compare historic forecasts to observed streamflow for verification.
For help interpreting these charts click here.

Example image of streamflow forecast table

Official Streamflow Forecast Tables

Issued shortly after the first of the month. A smaller sub-set of forecasts are typically issued mid-month.


Example Image of Streamflow Forecast Graphic

Streamflow Forecast Charts

Charts from past years allow you to compare historic forecasts to observed streamflow for verification.
For help interpreting these charts click here.

Example Forecast Evolution Chart

Streamflow Forecast Evolution Charts

Monthly charts showing how forecasts evolve over the course of the water year. Past years are available.

  • Option 1: Official 1st of Month Forecasts Only
  • Option 2: Official 1st of Month plus Weekly Guidance Forecasts

Guidance forecasts are an automated product issued on the 1st, 9th, 16th and 23th of the month allowing users to track forecast evolution between official first of month publication dates. Guidance forecasts are only available for select points. Guidance forecasts for other forecast points can be added upon request.

Example Image of Interactive Map Streamflow Forecasts

Streamflow Forecast Map Links

50% exceedance forecast for most recent forecast publication


Volume (KAF)  

Percent of Median

Percentile (compared to period of record observed volumes)

NRCS Streamflow Adjustments

Marlette Lake Inflow = Marlette Lake Inflow, observed + Marlette Lake storage change

Donner Lake inflow (externally adjusted by US Water Master*) = Donner Lake storage change + Donner Lake Release + Lake Evaporation – Lake Precipitation  

Martis Creek Reservoir inflow (externally adjusted by US Water Master*) = Martis Creek Reservoir storage change + Martis Creek Reservoir Release + Lake Evaporation – Lake Precipitation

Prosser Creek Reservoir Inflow (externally adjusted by US Water Master*) = Prosser Creek Reservoir storage change + Prosser Creek Reservoir Release + Lake Evaporation – Lake Precipitation

Independence Lake Inflow (externally adjusted by US Water Master*) = Independence Lake storage change + Independence Lake Release + Lake Evaporation – Lake Precipitation

Little Truckee River below Stampede Reservoir (externally adjusted by US Water Master*, naturalized flow at Stampede Dam) = Independence Lake storage change + Sierra Valley Diversion + Stampede Reservoir storage change + Stampede Reservoir Release + Lake Evaporation – Lake Precipitation

Little Truckee River below Boca Reservoir (externally adjusted by US Water Master*, naturalized flow at Boca Dam) = Independence Lake storage change + Stampede Reservoir storage change + Sierra Valley Diversion + Boca Reservoir storage change + Boca Reservoir Release + Lake Evaporation – Lake Precipitation

Truckee R above Farad Sidewater (externally adjusted by US Water Master*) = Truckee River at Farad, observed – Boca Creek Reservoir Release – Prosser Creek Reservoir Release – Donner Lake Release – Martis Creek Reservoir Release – Lake Tahoe Release

Truckee River at Farad (externally adjusted by US Water Master*) = Donner Lake inflow +  Martis Creek Reservoir inflow + Prosser Creek Reservoir Inflow + Independence Lake Inflow +  Stampede Reservoir Local Inflow +  Boca Reservoir Local Inflow +  Truckee R above Farad Sidewater

East Walker River near Bridgeport = East Walker River near Bridgeport, observed + Bridgeport Reservoir storage change

L Humboldt R nr Paradise Valley (2) = L Humboldt R nr Paradise Valley + Chimney Creek Reservoir storage change

Owyhee River near Gold Creek = Owyhee River near Gold Creek + Wildhorse Reservoir storage change

Colorado R at Glen Canyon Dam (aka Lake Powell Inflow) = externally adjusted by Bureau of Reclamation for major upstream reservoirs, but not trans-basin diversions to Missouri or Rio Grande