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

SAN MIGUEL, DOLORES. ANIMAS, AND SAN JUAN RIVER BASINS
as of February 1, 2000

Mountain Snow pack" (inches)

I,

~Currenl -'-Average
___Maximum --+-Minimum

45

)

40

35

.5 30
..
c
..
OJ 25
>
';;
g 20

..
.!!
.. 15
==

10

5

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

*Based on selected stations

Precipitation" (% of average)

I_Monlhly DYear-lo-date ]

120

100

..
'" 80
l!!
..
>
c(
'0 60
-
c
..
u
..
.. 40
II.

20

o

Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

These basins managed to pick up nearly average amounts of snowfall during January, which has
boosted their combined snowpack accumulation from only 17% of average on January 1, to 41 %
of average on February 1. The snowpack percentages are highly variable throughout the basins
ranging from only 23% of average in the San Juan Watershed, to 68% of average in the San
Miguel Watershed. There is only 47% of the amount of snow in the basin's there was last year at
this time. There was 114% of average precipitation during January, but the water year total is
now only 34% of average. The combined reservoir storage level in these basins is 116% of
average for this time of year, but without an improved snowpack this could easily turn to below
average storage during the upcoming runoff season. There is 17 % more storage than last year at
this time. All of the forecasted streamflows for this runoff season remain below average and most
are lower than last month. Forecasts range from only 31 % of average on the Navajo River at
OSO Diversion, to 66% of average at the San Miguel River near Placerville.