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 March 1, 2002

Mountain Snowpack* (Inches)

__Current __Average
__Maximum -+-Minlmum

30

25
.5 20
.;
C
GO
ii
> 15
'S
C'
W
"-
GO
-
~ 10
5

o

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

-Based on selected stations

Precipitation. (% of average)

i. Monlhly I!lYear-to-dattJ

70
60
50
GO
Cl
I!
GO 40
>
<
'0
-
c 30
GO
l::!
GO
a.
20
10

Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

The South Platte Basin received enough snow accumulation during February to boost the
measurements from only 49% of average last month, to 52% of average on March 1, which is
only 74% of what there was last year at this time. Most of the watersheds in the basin received
enough snow to improve their measurements slightly over last month. Measurements range from
only 43% of average in the Upper South Platte Watershed, to 62% of average in the Cache La
Poudre Watershed. The precipitation during February was only 73% of average, and the water
year total is now only 66% of average. The combined reservoir storage is about 84% of average
on March 1, whi<;h is about equal to last year at this time. Storage measurements will likely
'J decrease rapidly during the runoff season if snowpack and precipitation conditions don't improve
significantly during the next month. All of the streamflow forecasts for the runoff season remain
well below average at this time. They are highly variable ranging from only 25% of average at
the Inflow to Antero Reservoir, to 69% of average on Cache La Poudre at Canyon Mouth.