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

SOUTH PLAITE RIVER BASIN
as of April 1, 2002

,

Mountain Snowpack* (inches)

Preclpltation* (% of average)

"""*-Current -*-Average
___Maximum __Minimum

I_Monthly IEIYear-to-date i

30

70
60
50 --------
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0
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c 30
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20
10

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1~11:111
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~ 10
5

o

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

.Based on selected stations

With the snowmelt beginning, the snow accumulation in the South Platte Basin will likely peak at
only 54% of average on April 1, which is only 67% of the amount of snow there was last year at
this time, Measurements range from only 43% of average in the Upper South Platte Watershed, to
64% of average in the Cache La Poudre Watershed. If the warm temperatures, and lack of
snowfall continue this spring, the snowpack could disappear as much as 60 days earlier than the
normal melt out date in some locations. The precipitation during March was only 64% of
average, and the water year total is now only 66% of average. The combined reservoir storage is
about 85% of average on April 1, and is likely to diminish further during the runoff season. There
',I is about the same amount of storage t!1ere was last year at this time. Many of the streamflow
forecasts have been decreased even further from last month's dismal predictions. They range from
only 25% of average at the Inflow to Antero Reservoir, to 61 % of average on South Boulder
Creek near Eldorado Springs.