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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK REPORT MARCH 1, 2002 Summary Colorado experienced another dry month during February. Statewide snowpack readings decreased slightly on March I, and are now at the lowest percentage of this year. Low snowpack readings are widespread across the state, with no basins reporting a near average snowpack. Given these conditions, at this late date in the season, below average water supplies are all but certain for the state's water users. Unlike many previous dry winters, reservoir storage continues to track at below average volumes. Without the benefit of surplus reservoir storage, Colorado's water users are now dependent upon spring and summer precipitation to help minimize impacts. Snowpack Snowfall across Colorado 'was below average during February. This marks the third consecutive month with below normal snowfall and has resulted in a continued decrease in the state's snowpack, as a percent of average. The latest readings indicate the statewide snowpack has decreased to 56% of average, down slightly from last month's 58% of average. This is the lowest statewide snowpack for March I since 1981, which reached only 40% of average. With only a month remaining in the accumulation season, it is estimated that snowfall during the month of March would need to be nearly three times the average to recover from the current snowpack deficit. The probability of this occurring is negligible given the historical records available. Again this month, the lowest percentages (less than 50% of average), occur in the San Juan, Animas, and Rio Grande basins of southwestern Colorado, and the South Platte headwaters and Saint Vrain basins in northern Colorado, The highest snowpack percentages were measured in two Colorado River tributaries, the Williams Fork and the Blue River, both at 73% of average. Elsewhere across the state, snowpack readings ranged from 50% to 70% of average. CcloTJdc i: now ;n its fifth consecutive year with a below average snowpack on March I, and this year's snowpack consistently lags behind that of last year across the state. Colorado's statewide snowpack is only 65% of last year's. The most striking contrast between this year and last year is seen across the southwest, where this year's snowpack dips to only 28% of last year in the San Juan Basin. An extended snowpack accwnulation season, brought on by cold and very wet spring conditions, can still impwve the current outlook. While many Coloradoans can remember years when this has J occurred, the question remains whether or not we get lucky this year.