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

GUNNISON RIVER BASIN
as of April 1, 2002

Mountain Snowpack" (inches)

Precipitation" (% of average)

,"",*"""Current --.-Average
___Maximum -+-Minimum

I_Monthly E1Year-to-date I

30

100
90
80
.. 70
'"
l! 60
..
>
<
'0 50-
...
c:
.. 40
l::!
..
c.. 30
20
10

25
.5 20
.:
c:
..
it
> 15
'S
IT
W
~
..
...
II 10
3:
5

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

0-
Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

.Based on selected stations

.j

The snow accumulation in the Gunnison Basin may have peaked for this season during the last
days of March. The meager accumulation has started to slowly melt away and will likely begin to
rapidly disappear unless there is a dramatic change in the weather patterns. The measurements on
April 1 are only 57% of average, which is only 69% of the amount there was last year at this time.
The accumulation ranges from only 49% of average in the Uncompahgre Watershed, to 60% of
average in the Upper Gunnison Watershed. The monthly precipi tation was 8 I % of average during
March, which was the second highest monthly accumulation this water year, but the water year
total still lags well below average, at only 66%. Fortunately, the combined reservoir storage level
is 15% above average for this time of year, but this may dwindle rapidly as we move into the
runoff season. There is 4% more storage than there was last year at this time. With the runoff
season just beginning, most of the stream forecast points are forecasted to flow at below 50% of
average volume this year. The forecasts range from only 24% of average flow at the Inflow to
Paonia Reservoir, to 67% of average on the Slate River near Crested Butte.