WSP12939

• File Number: 8040.800
• Description: Water Resources for Colorado
• State: CO
• Date: 3/1/2004
• Author: US Dept of Agriculture - Natural Resoruces Conservation Service
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report March 1, 2004
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN
as of March 1,2004

Mountain Snowpack* (inches)

Precipitation* (% of average)

~Current --'-Average
-Maximum -+-Minimum

I_Monthly mYear-to-date I

25

140
120
Q) 100
Cl
lIS
...
Q)
~ 80
-
0
....
c 60
Q)
~
Q)
a.
40
20

20
C
~
c 15
Q)
iG
>
':;
C"
W
... 10
Q)
....
lIS
3:
5

o

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

*Based on selected stations

The Colorado Basin's snowpack measurements have slipped from 85% of average on February 1,
to 83% of average on March 1. Measurements are 10% less than last year at this time. On average,
March is the highest snow accumulation month of the season, but to reach average conditions by
April 1, accumulation during March will need to be nearly 140% of the average monthly amount.
Measurements range from only 76% of average in the Muddy Creek Watershed, to 109% of
average in the Plateau Creek Watershed, The precipitation during February was only 80% of
average, and the water year total is now only 83% of average. The combined reservoir storage
remains at 86% of average on March 1. There is 242% of the storage there was last year at this
time. Streamflow forecasts have been bumped down from last month's forecasts and all of them
are below average. Forecasts range from only 73% of average at the Inflow to Willow Creek
Reservoir, to 85% of average on the Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs.