WSP11390

• File Number: 8040.970
• Description: Basin Outlook Reports
• State: CO
• Date: 1/1/2000
• Author: USDOA
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN
as of February 1, 2000

Mountain snowpack" (inches)

~

'I
I
'I

I--*-Currenl -'-Average
l:---Maximum -+-Minimum

18

16

14

.5 12
.-
c
~ 10
>
'S
.If 8
~
..
...
..
==

6

4

2

o
Jan

Apr

May

Feb

Mar

.Based on selected stations

Precipitation" (% of average)

[ilMonthly DYear-to-date I

160

140

120

..
DI
l!! 100
..
>
<
"0 80
...
c
..
l:! 60-
..
ll..

40

20

o

Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

There was just enough additional snowfall in the Arkansas Basin during January to hold the
snowpack percent of average at 62%, which is the same as last month. The Purgatory Watershed
remains the high spot in the basin with snowpack amounts measuring 85% of average, while the
Cucharas and Huerfano basins have only 54% of average snowpack amounts. There is only 72%
of the amount of snow in the basin that there was last year at this time. Precipitation was 155% of
average through January, and the water year total is now 86% of average. The combined
reservoir storage in the basin is at 261 % of average at this time, which is 21 % more storage than
last year at this time. Some of the reservoirs are as high as 400% of their normal storage level due
largely to extremely high flows last spring. All of the streamflow forecasts for the upcoming
runoff season remain below average at this time. They range from only 55% of average flow on
Grape Creek near WestcIiffe, to 80% of average on the Huerfano River near Redwing.