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Precipitation Mountain precipitation across Colorado was below average statewide during February. During the past 12 months, Colorado precipitation measured at SNOTEL sites has exceeded the average in only two months. Those months were April and August 2001. During that same year, statewide precipitation was less than 65% of average during six of those months. FebruarY's statewide precipitation was only 56% of average. As expected, totals for the 2002 water year (since October 1,2001) are well below average, statewide. Basinwide water year percentages range from only 49% of average in the San Juan, Animas, Dolores, and San Miguel basins, to a high of only 70% of average in the Yampa and White basins. As of March I, the statewide water year totals are only 63% of average. Reservoir Storage While reservoir storage volumes improved slightly from last month, they remain below average across most of the state. Only the Gunnison and Yarnpa basins can boast of a reservoir storage that slightly exceeds the average mark for this date. Statewide, reservoir storage is only 88% of average and is only 90% of last year's March I volumes, Not since 1982 has the March storage dipped to below average volumes. In the Arkansas Basin, which is currently reporting a storage volume of 78 % of average, this is the first winter since 1992 that storage has dropped below average. Since that year, volumes have been tracking at nearly 200% of average. On the brighter side, statewide volumes have been steadily improving since November 2001 when a deficit of 615,000 acre-feet was reported. As of this month, this deficit has been reduced to 410,000 acre-feet. Streamflow Given the climatic conditions of the past six months, it's not surprising that Colorado's outlook for spring and summer water supplies is pretty dismal. The entire state can expect below average runoff this season, with a number of locations where streamflow volumes will be less than 50% of average, Those areas of most concern include the San Juan, Animas, Dolores, and Rio Grande basins of southwestern Colorado. Across northern Colorado, the South Platte headwaters and the North Platte Basin can also expect less than 50% of average runoff this year. Most of the tributary streams of the Colorado River are forecast to produce the highest volumes as a percent of average. Those basins, which are all forecast at about 70% to 80% of average, include the Fryingpan, Eagle, Blue, Williams Fork and the inflow into Lake Granby, Across the remainder of the state, runoff volumes are projected to range from only 50% to 70% of average. Water users need to carefully consider their supply situation and plan accordingly for one of Colorado's dryer water years on record.