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MARCH 2006 DROUGHT AND FLOOD UPDATE Colorado SNOTEL Snowpack Update Map ~ N RCS Percent of Average _>150 012<)-150 0110- 129 090-109 D 70 - 69 ~ 50 - 69 _<50 Provisional Data SUbject to Revision Current as of Mar 20, 2006 .Oaia may not provid.e ,] valid meas.ure of condltions Reservoir storage around the State is close to average and above 2005 levels for the same time. Gunnison basin reservoir levels are well above average, prompting Denver Water to consider pre-springtime releases from Dillon Reservoir. Arkansas basin reservoir levels are below average. This can be attributed in part to reservoir operations, particularly John Martin Reservoir. Reservoirs are an important component of flood control in Colorado. Colorado Streamflo\N Forecast Map ~ N RCS Percent of Average _>150 _ 130-150 ~110-129 _ 90-109 _ 50 - 6P _<C,O ProvisIonal Data Subject to Rel'lsfon The Yampa/White, North Platte, Colorado, and the South Platte basins are experiencing above average snowpack conditions, while the Gunnison and the Arkansas basins have average to below average snowpacks. The San Miguel, Dolores, Animas & San Juan, and Rio Grande basins are experiencing snowpack levels that are well below average thus setting these basins up for drought conditions similar to 2002. Colorado Reservoir Storage Map Percent of Average .. > l~.o U 130-1~O Ul1lJ-12Q U '~0-10Q U 70 - 89 IiiiiI ~.O - 69 .. < 50 ~ NRCS ProvIsional Data Subject to Revision End of February 2006 The percent of average streamflow for each of the basins ranges from a high of 130-150% to less than 50% in parts of the Rio Grande basin and the southern tributaries. The Blue and Eagle rivers in the Colorado basin have the highest volume runoff currently. As spring begins, and snowpacks start to melt and runoff into streams, rivers, & reservoirs, resulting streamflow will be closely monitored to ascertain water availability conditions and flood potential around the State. Lon!! Term Forecast Summary La Nina conditions have been present since last fall, hence Current as of March 1, 2006 the characteristically distinct south to north gradient in snowpack levels. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center forecasts for the next 6 months are undecided, showing an equal chance of dry conditions or wet conditions for much of the State. Although and increased tilt towards dry conditions in southern Colorado is consistent with weak La Nina conditions. The southern portion of the State will continue to be dry. Weather forecasts for the next 6-8 weeks show cooler temperatures with above normal precipitation. The mountain basins along & north ofl-70 will maintain 115% - 150% of normal. Mountain basins south of 1-70 will play "catch-up" with more frequent spring storms but still fall below normal (65-80%) for the year. NOTE: The most current NRCS maps are depicted in this report and may have been updated since the March 14, 2006 meeting.