WSP12938

• File Number: 8040.800
• Description: Water Resources for Colorado
• State: CO
• Date: 4/1/2004
• Author: US Dept of Agriculture - Natural Resoruces Conservation Service
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report April 1, 2004
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

UPPER RIO GRANDE BASIN
as of April 1, 2004

Mountain Snowpack* (inches)

Precipitation* (% of average)

i---*-Current -.-Averaae ~
- - ;
_fv1aximum -+-r.1inimum .

!_Monthly OYear-to-date i

20

25

160

20
.s
..:
... 15
~
111
.~
:J
0-
W
... 10
Q)
....
C1l
3:
5

140
120
Q)
Cl
IU 100
...
Q)
~
.... 80
0
....
c
Q)
u 60
...
Q)
a.
40

o
Jan

o
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Feb

Mar

Apr

f..1ay

*Based on selected stations

The Rio Grande Basin continues to have the highest snowpack measurements in the state,
although they have been diminished significantly from last month. Extremely warm, dry
conditions have reduced the snow measurements from 108% of average on :rvlarch 1, to only 77%
of average on April 1. This is one of the largest n,-Iarch decreases in sno\"pack measurements ever
recorded. 1tleasurements range from only 53% of average in the Alamosa Creek \Vatershed, to
85% of average in the Conejos and Rio San .Antonio \Vatersheds. The precipitation during March
was only 47% of average, and the water year total is now 92% of average. Reservoirs are seeing
some benefit from the sno\vmelt in the form of runoff, and have improved their storage volumes
from 43% of average on NIarch 1, to 52% of average on April!. There is only 84% of last year's
storage. Runoff furecasts have been lowered significantly relative to last month's forecasts. They
are all below average, and range from only 67% of average at Costilla Creek near Costilla, to 93%
of average at La J ara Creek near Capulin.