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

SOUTH PLATIE RIVER BASIN
as of January 1,2004

Mountain Snow pack" (Inches)

Precipitation. ('Ie of average)

-*-Current -'-Average
___Maximum -+-Mlnlmum

[_Monthly InYear-lo-date I

30

120

25 100
.E .
20 '" 80
~
., "
0 .
. >
;; ..
~ - 60
15 0
, -
IT C
W .
" u
. "
- . 40
~ 10 Q.
;:

5

o

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

.Based on selected stations

The 2004 winter has goUen off to a slow start in the South Platte Basin. No measurable
accumulation of snowpack occurred until early November and since then the accumulation rate
has been less than average. This leaves the South Plaue Basin with a snowpack of only 67% of
average on January I, and is only 88% ofIast year's readings for this date. While most of the
remainder of the state received abundant precipitation during November, the monthly totals in the
South PlaUe Basin were just 13% above average. After another dry month in December, water
year totals are now only 71% of average and are the lowest basinwide percentage in the state.
Although reservoir storage is only 77% of average, these volumes remain at 163% of last year's
January I storage. Streamflow forecasts range from well below average, along the South PlaUe
Headwaters, to just slightly below average along some of the Front Range tributaries. The longer
these dry conditions persist the 1110re critical it will become to rely upon another wet spring for
adequate water supplies.