WSP12944

• File Number: 8040.800
• Description: Water Resources for Colorado
• State: CO
• Date: 3/1/2003
• Author: US Dept of Agriculture - Natural Resoruces Conservation Service
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report March 1, 2003
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

SAN MIGUEL, DOLORES, ANIMAS, AND SAN JUAN RIVER BASINS
as of March 1, 2003

Mountain Snow pack'" (Inches)

Precipitation. (% of average)

-W-Current -*'-Average
___Maximum -+-Minimum

I_Monthly DYear-to-dale I

45
40
35
C 30
.;
c
~ 25
~
.2:
~
tT 20
w
~
.
-
~ 15
;:
10
5
0

.
'" BO
~
~
.
>
..
- 60
0
-
c
.
u
~
. 40
0.

I
/ ........ /
./ V
,..---" ./
V ...........
// ""
/' "-
~

120.

20

o

Oct Noy Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

.nased (111 selected slations

Snowpack measurements for these basins are 77% ofaveragc on March I, which is 14% of
average higher than on February I. Snowfall during thc later part of February has provided a
desperately needed boost to the snowpack numbers in all of these basins, but they still need much
marc snow to see significantly noticeable reliefin the reccnt waler shortages. Ifas much snow
falls in March as did in February, the snowpack measurements would rcmain about 10% bclow
average on April I. The measurements range from 71 % of average in the San Juan Basin, to 86%
ofavcrage in the San Miguel Basin. Precipitation during February was 116% of average, which is
the first above average monthly measurcment since October. Tbe water year total is only 82% of
average. Reservoirs in thesc basins have only 57% of their average storage amount for this time of
year, which is only 72% of last year's storage. All of the streamflow forceasts have increased
from last months', but are still well below average. They range from only 59% of average on the
Navajo River at Oso Diversion, to 75%) of average on the Mancos near Mancos.