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

UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN
as of March I, 2000

Mountain Snow pack' (inches)

Precipitation' (% of average)

'I
~

~Current -'-Average
______Maximum -+-Minimum

I_Monthly DYear-lo-date I

25

160

140 .

20
.5
.-
c 15
..
OJ
.~
::I
CT
W
.. 10
..
-
..
==
5

120

"
CIl
l!! 100-
..
>
c(

'0 80-

...
c
..
~ 60
..
Q.

40

20

o

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

*Based on selected stations

The Colorado Basin continued to receive an abundance of snow during February boosting the
snowpack accumulation to 94% of average, which is 15% of average higher than last month.
Snow accumulation was high throughout the basin increasing the percent of average in every
watershed. The highest increase was in the Plateau Creek Watershed where the snowpack went
from 53% of average to 78% of average during the month. The highest percentage is in the
Muddy Creek Watershed, which is 116% of average. Precipitation in the basin was 144% of
average during January, and the total precipitation for the water year is now at 86% of average.
The combined reservoir storage volume in the basin remains very good on March 1 at 131 % of
average for this time, which is about the same as last year's March 1 storage. Nearly all of the
streamflow forecasts for this runoff season are near average. The inflow to Lake Granby stands
out as the highest forecast at 108% of average while the lowest forecast is 82% of average on the
Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs.