The average .33 of an inch of precipitation recorded over the Wisconsin basin above Merrill in the first 13 days of April was 14 percent of or 2.01 inches below the 2.34 inches total that normally falls by the end of the month. Normal is basin area weekly average. Reservoir levels are peaking, some falling Without runoff from the basin to sustain or surpass the current low flow goals in the Wisconsin River as measured at Merrill and Wisconsin Rapids, and to bring the reservoirs into balance as required by the federal license operating plan, some water will be released from WVIC's man-made reservoirs. As a result, the rise in levels achieved through April 13 will peak at some reservoirs, and at some locations continue to go down. That was 32 percent of or 3,894 cfs below the 5,732 cfs normal natural flow that occurs during April.
Natural flow is a measure of the surplus or deficit of water running off the basin.
The surplus that would be typical in spring supplies the refill of reservoirs. Low natural flow is augmented by the release of reservoir water. Total 10,078 57.79 55.84 Weekly Average Flow Analysis Merrill Wisconsin Rapids MCF Aver. CFS MCF Aver. Low temperatures consistently falling into the 20s and teens sustained the feeling of winter.