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Precipitation Precipitation during February varied from above average across southern Colorado, to below average across the northern basins. The highest percent of average totals were measured in the San Juan, Animas, Dolores, and San Miguel basins, reporting 124% of average for the month. The Rio Grande Basin closely followed at 121% of average for February. Conditions dried out toward the north with the Yampa and White basins reporting the lowest percent of average totals in the state at only 77% of average. The beleaguered South Platte Basin only managed to record 83 % of average. Water year totals remain below average across most of the state. The only exceptions are in southwestern Colorado, where the Rio Grande Basin is reporting 103% of average, and the combined San Juan, Animas, Dolores, and San Miguel basins at 100% of average. The South Platte Basin is reporting the lowest percent of average totals for the water year at only 73% of average. Reservoir Storage Reservoir storage continues to track below average across most of Colorado. Last year's dry conditions across southwestern Colorado have left those basins with the lowest storage volumes. The Arkansas, Rio Grande and combined San Juan, Animas, Dolores, and San Miguel basins are reporting well below average storage for March 1. Storage volumes improve across northern Colorado with most of those basins reporting volumes of 80% to 90% of average. Currently, the GUllllison Basin is reporting the highest volumes as a percent of average at 93%. Statewide, storage is reported at 78% of average and is 145% of last year's volumes on this date. As a rule, most basins are reporting greater volumes than last year at this time. The Colorado Basin is leading the state at 242% of last year's storage. The only basin reporting less in storage than last year is the Rio Grande, at only 70% of last year's volumes. Considering this year's water supplies, it appears that reservoir storage in the southern basins will improve, while reservoirs in the northern basins may not meet water use demands again. Streamflow , The 2004 runoff outlook is shaping up to range from near average volumes across southwestern Colorado, and below average across most of the remainder of the state. The highest volumes, as a percent of average, are forecast in the San Juan and Animas basins, where flows of 100% to 110% are generally forecast. Near average volumes are forecast across most of the Rio Grande as. well. Toward the north, forecasts deteriorate to below average. The Colorado, Yampa, White, Arkansas and North and South Platte basins are forecast at below average. The lowest forecasts continue to be located in the upper South Platte Basin, where most forecast points are forecast to produce less than 50% of average volumes during 2004. Conditions improve along the Front Range tributaries, yet are consistently below average ranging from 70% to 90% of average.