WSP12941

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

UPPER RIO GRANDE RIVER BASIN
as of January 1, 2004

Mountain Snowpack* (Inches)

-)t-Current ---'-Average
___Maximum -+-Minimum

25

20
.E
oJ
0 15
...
~
~
~
.,.
w
" 10
.
;;
;:
5

o
Jan

Feb

Mar

Ap,

May

-Based on selected stations

120
.
'"
~ 100
"
.
>
"
- 80
0
-
0
.
u 60
"
.
ll.
40
20

Precipitation. (% of average)

j-Monthly ElYear-to-date I

160

140

o.

Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

After two extremely dry winters in the Rio Grande Basin, the 2004 water year has brought a
promising storm track to this basin's water users. Readings from SNOTEL sites in the basin were
85% of average on January I and are 33% above those of last year. The highest snowpack
percentages were measured in the Alamosa and Conejos River basins, while the snowpack along
the Sange de Cristo Mountains has the lowest percentage in the basin. The snow water content at
the Lily Pond SNOTEL, near Platoro Reservoir, is more than two times last year's January I
readings. Most of this water year's precipitation was measured during the early November storms.
Totals for the water year arc now 93% of average. The six major reservoirs in the Rio Grande
Basin are reporting only 38% of average volumes, the lowest of any basin in Colorado. These
volumes remain well below those oflast year, at only 64% of last year. Prospects for summer
water supplies arc best along the upper reaches of the Rio Grande, while decreasing considerably
along those streams originating from the Sange de Cristo Range.