From the Bureau of Reclamation:
“As of March 5, 2023, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6475.61 feet, which amounts to 41 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of February totaled approximately 27,760 acre-feet (af) or 97 percent of average.
Winter release has been set at 950 cfs to meet spring elevation targets and are forecasted to remain at this level through winter, subject to hydrology. The winter release is planned to be maintained until March or April when the ice along the Green River begins to melt.
The March final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. March, April, and May Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 45,000 af (79 percent of average), 70,000 af (83 percent of average), and 125,000 af (71 percent of average), respectively.”
What this means:
Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 952 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 108 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 137 percent of normal.
As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see some midge activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the Winter, you can still have some fantastic streamer fishing below Fontenelle as well. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water. Black, gray, olive, and ginger are my go to spring colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.
It has been incredibly cold and windy on the Upper Green this winter so there is a lot more ice build up along the river and deeper snow drifts on roads then in years past. Make sure you have the appropriate gear and long tow straps to launch and load a boat.