WSP09347

• File Number: 8040.970
• Description: Basin Outlook Reports
• State: CO
• Date: 1/1/2002
• Author: USDOA
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

UPPER RIO GRANDE BASIN
as of March 1, 2002

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Mountain Snowpack" (inches)

__Current -'-Average
___Maximum --+-Minimum

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Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

"Based on selected stations

Precipitation" (% of average)

I_Monthly IEIYear-to-date I

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Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Snowpack measurements in the Rio Grande Basin are down from 48% of average last month, to
only 43% of average on March 1, which is the lowest percent of average in the state. The amount
of snow is only 42% of the amount there was last year. All of the watersheds in the basin have
snowpacks that measure much below average, ranging from only 35% of average in the Upper
Rio Grande Watershed, to 65% of average in the Culebra and Trinchera Creek watersheds. Much
like January, the precipitation during February was nearly negligible, as only 41 % of the average
monthly amount fell during the month. The water year total precipitation is now only 51 % of
average. Reservoirs in the basin have a storage level of only 75% of average on March I, which
is likely to decrease rapidly during the runoff season if the amount of snowpack and
precipitation does not increase significantly in the next month. Streamflow forecasts for the
runoff season are below 50% of average at most of the forecast points. They range from only
37% of average at La Jara Creek Near Capulin, to 57% of average on Culebra Creek at San Luis.

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