WATFMeetingSummaryMay2006

• Title: Governor's Report for May 16, 2006 Water Availability Task Force Meeting
• Date: 5/16/2006
• Description: Water Availability Task Force Meeting Governor's Report
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: WATF Meeting Summary

MAY 2006 DROUGHT UPDATE
The North Platte and South Platte Basins are presently at
70-89% of average snowpack. The Colorado, Yampa/White,
and Arkansas basins are currently at 50-69% of average
snowpack, while the Gunnison, Rio Grande, and San
Juan/Dolores basins are presently below 50% of average
snowpack. NRCS data shows snowpacks are melting out
early. The Gunnison and the South Platte are forecast to melt
out before June 1, while the Arkansas to be melted out by
June 1. The Colorado, North Platte, and Yampa are predicted
to melt out earlier than usual, and the Rio Grande is forecast
to melt out real soon, similar to that of 2002. This trend is of
concern as it impacts annual water management decisions.
Statewide reservoir storage is average for this time of
the year and 112% of last year's average. The
highest current reservoir storage is in the Gunnison
Basin, and the Arkansas and Upper Rio Grande
Basins presently have the lowest. Despite the dry
conditions, at the end of April, there were three
reservoirs in the San Juan Basin that were still
holding above average reservoir storage.
Streamflows are forecasted to be average to slightly
above average in the northern part of the State. The
Yampa/White and the Colorado Basins are forecast to
have the highest flows at 90-129% of average, while
mainly the lower portions of the San Juan, Rio Grande
and a small part of the Arkansas Basins will have the
lowest flows. Major rivers are predicted to peak May 21
through May 27.

Long Term Forecast Summary

The general forecast is for normal to below normal
precipitation and normal temperatures. The potential for
increasing drought conditions exists. The Drought
Monitor shows that currently eastern and southeastern Colorado are moving into severe (Stage 2 level) drought
conditions. Water supply currently is above average in the northwest because of the above average snowpack. Water
supplies east of the Divide will benefit slightly from the monsoons that are predicted to begin in early July as well as
trans-mountain diversions possible due to the west slope snow pack. The monsoons will help moderate temperatures and
bring lower water demands to the Front Range. The wildfire danger is more critical near the Front Range.
NOTE:
The NRCS maps depicted in this report were those presented at the May 16, 2006 meeting and may have been
updated since the meeting.