WSP09277 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

o o .... c.o ~ tv April weather usually produces significant storm systems that move through the Project area. That was the case along the East Slope in April 1998. The East Slope watersheds saw significant precipitation during April; but for the W(fstem Slope, precipitation was as low as during previous months. Regardless of the abundant precipitation over the Eastern Slope, snowpack water content over the Project's contributing area was relatively low during April, as reported on May I, with the total average at 89 percent of average. The western slopes averaged between 78 percent of average at Lake Granby and 91 percent of average at Green Mountain. Along the eastern slopes, the Poudre watershed recorded 84 percent of average, while the St. Vrain recorded 106 percent. The trend of dry weather along the West Slope continued during the month of May, while the East Slopes enjoyed the benefit of a few spring showers. The Green Mountain project reported just 24 percent of average precipitation for the month. The Willow Creek and Lake Granby watersheds were extremely low also, both reporting 54 percent of average. Temperatures for May along the region were varied, but close to average. Conditions did not change during the month of June. The new month did not bring any significant rainfall to the area. Stations over the Willow Creek and Lake Granby watershed reported 137 percent of average precipitation for the entire month, the highest over the entire Project. The east slopes stations also reported much lower percentages than the previous months. Lake Estes and St. Vrain watershed stations reported 70 percent of average, while the Poudre watershed station reported 61 percent. Temperatures for the month were generally below normal. Some record low temperatures were recorded across the state during June. The city of Fort Collins set the new record of49 OF on June 4. The old record of 50 of was set in 1892. On June 5, another new record was set for the same station, when a temperature of 50 OF was reported. The old record was 550F, set in 1883. A trace of snow was also recorded in Fort Collins on June 5. The Month of July brought a heat wave to the Front Range area. The City of Fort Collins tied a record high temperature for July 18, which was established in 1934. The temperature reported that day reached 980F. The following day the old record of 970F recorded in 1934 and 1939 was broken, as the temperature reached 990F. The following day, another record, dating back to 1939, was tied when the temperature of 101 OF was reported. Precipitation in general was well above average, with most of the projects reporting just below or above twice the average. The west slope reported 207 percent of average precipitation, while the east slope reported 166 percent. Rainfall across the CBT during the month of August was closer to normal than the previous month, with an average of 115 percent of average for all the stations combined. Temperatures during the month were varied, with minimums normally a little higher than average. Temperatures for September were also above average, with Fort Collins recording the warmest September since 1889. Rainfall totals in September dropped below the average along the CBT, with 66 percent of average for all the stations. Alva B. Adams (Adams Tunnel) diversions totaled 201,500 acre-feet, or 88 percent of average for the water year 1998. Seasonal water deliveries (November 1997 -October 1998) were 234,800 acre-feet, including carryover water, and this was 99 percent of average. 2