WSP12940

• File Number: 8040.800
• Description: Water Resources for Colorado
• State: CO
• Date: 2/1/2004
• Author: US Dept of Agriculture - Natural Resoruces Conservation Service
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report February 1, 2004
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

YAMPA, WHITE, NORTH PLATI'E AND LARAMIE RIVER BASINS
as of February 1,2004

Mountain Snow pack* (inches)

Precipitation* (% of average)

-*-Current -'-Average
_Maximum ~Minimum

I_Monthly IiIilYear-to-date I

35

5

180
160
140
Ql
C) 120
e
Ql
~ 100
...
0
.... 80
c
Ql
~
Ql 60
Do
40

20

30

25
.5
..:
c
Ql 20
iU
>
'S
cr
w 15
...
Ql
....
ell
~ 10

o

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

*Based on selected stations

January ended up being the lowest snow accumulation month so far this season in these basins.
Monthly accumulation was so low that the measurements went from about 8% above average and
the highest percent of average in the state on January 1, to only 86% of average on February 1.
Measurements range from only 77% of average in the Laramie River Basin, to 97% of average in
the White River Basin. Precipitation in these basins during January was only 56% of average,
which brought the water year total down to only 87% of average. Most of the precipitation fell
either during the very early part of January, or the very end with an extremely quiet period in
between. The two major reservoirs in these basins are at 110% of average storage volume for this
time of year, which is 124% of the storage volume last year at this time. Streamflow forecasts for
the runoff season are near average at most of the forecasted streamflow points. Forecasts range
from only 77% of average on the Elkhead Creek near Elkhead, to 99% of average at Little Snake
River near Dixon.