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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK REPORT APRIL 1, 2000 Summary March brought another month of plentiful snowfall to the Colorado mountains. Increases in Ihe percent of average above the March I readings were measured nearly statewide. The greatest increases in percentage were measured across southern Colorado, which has reported the lowest percentages in the state throughout the season. Whi Ie a sizable portion of southem Colorado continues to report below average snowpack, the remainder of the state has made a complete recovery from the October through January snow drought. Runoff forecasts for the spring and summer have improved substantially, and most of the state can now anticipate near average to slightly below average volumes. With good to excellent reservoir storage across the state, most of Colorado's water users will have adequate supplies for the 2000 water year. Snowpack A steady series of March storms brought badly needed moisture to southern Colorado. As a result. the percent of average snowpack in the Arkansas. Gunnison, Rio Grande and San Juan, Animas. Dolores, and San Miguel basins increased 15% to 20% of average during the month. For the Uncompahgre, San Miguel, Dolores, and Animas basins, above average snowfall since mid-February has increased the snowpack from the dismal early-season percentages, to near average on April I. However, even with the increased snowfall during March, much of southern Colorado continues to repon below average April I percentages. Most of the Gunnison and Arkansas basins remain below average. and the San Juan and Rio Grande basins continue to repon the lowest snowpack percentages in the state at only about 60% of average. Across most of northern Colorado, only slight increases in percenl of average snowpack were measured during Marcil. This has helped Ihe readings in the Gunnison, Colorado, South Platte and Yampa, White and North Platte basins to reach 90% to 100% of average. Statewide. Colorado's snowpack increased to 90% of average on April I. In comparison to last year's April I readings. the entire state is in much better condition. All basins are reporting higher snow pack levels lhan lasl year, and the slatewide average is 139% of lasl year's readings. In a typical year. most of Colorado reaches Ihe maximum seasonal snowpack accumulation on April I. Thus. for most of Ihe state, the accumulation season ends with near average. Any additional accumulations after this date arc a bonus for Ihe state's water users. Precipitation Precipilation measured at lower elevations during March was generally well above average across most of the state. Only nonhweslern Colorado, including the Colorado, Yampa and White river basins, received near average totals for the month. The remainder of the slate reported wet conditions for March. Those basins reporting precipitation totals of 150% to 200% of average include the Gunnison. Rio Grande. Arkansas, and the San Juan. Animas, Dolores. and San Miguel. Statewide totals for March were 152% of average. Water year totals remain at near average to slighlly below average across most of the stale. The highest water year Iota Is were measured in lhe Arkansas Basin at 109% of average. while the lowest totals were measured in the San Juan. Animas, Dolores, and San Miguel basins at 64% of average. Statewide. water year totals are 84% of average.