WSP11567

• File Number: 8240.200.38.A
• Description: Coordinated Reservoir Operations
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1999
• Author: CWCB
• Title: 1999 Coordinated Reservoir Operations Bypasses for Endangered Fish - Annual Summary of Operations for 1999 to Benefit the Endangered Fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Snow Conditions:

Snow course conditions were monitored using a compilation of the 23 SNOTEL sites in the
Upper Colorado River Basin. As indicated by Figure 2, the streamflow peak at Palisade occurred
approximately one month after maximum snow water equivalent occurred, similar to what
occurred in 1997 and 1998. The tail end of the 1999 snow water equivalent peak was just slightly
below average.

Figure 2

Colorado Basin SNOTEL Data

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Mav 1999 Proiect Area Snow Conditions

Snowpack-water content on April 1 was 77 percent of the 1966-1995 average throughout the
Colorado Big Thompson Project (CBT) watersheds. The Green Mountain or Blue River (West
Slope) watershed was the highest at 92 percent of average. The lowest snowpack water content
on the CBT Project was recorded for the Lake Estes watershed (east slope watershed) at 62
percent of average.

Snowpack water content on April I was below normal on the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project
watersheds. The Upper Arkansas River watershed (east slope) was 83 percent of average. The
Fryingpan River watershed was 69 percent of average.

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