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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK REPORT MARCH 1, 2003 Summary February's weather patterns brought a welcome relief to the series of dry months that have gripped the state since last fall. A steady series of storms brought significant snowfall to all areas of the state during the month, improving snowpack percentages in all basins. While the improved snowpack percentages are encouraging, the state continues to face water shortages for the remainder of this year. Reservoir storage continues to track well below average as a reminder of last year's drought conditions. Runoff forecasts, while improved from a month ago, remain below average across most of the state. The below average runoff expected in 2003 will not substantially improve reservoir storage volumes this year. Snowpack February brought a welcome return to winter to Colorado. Snowfall was above average across the state during the month, especially during the last week of the month, with a series of storms, which added nearly an inch of water content to the snowpack in each storm. By the end ofthe month, the statewide snowpack had increased to 83% of average, which is a sizable increase from last month's 71% of average. Also, by month's end all basins were reporting more snowpack water equivalent than at anytime last year. fu comparison to last year, the current snowpack is 148% of last year's March 1 snowpack. The basins reporting the largest improvement during the month include the South Platte and Arkansas basins, which increased by 16% and 15% of average, respectively. For the first time since December, there are basins reporting snowpack percentages in excess of 90% of average. Those basins, with the highest snowpack percentages, include the Colorado River Basin at 93% of average, and the Yampa and White basins, at 90% of average. Although the snowpack improved by 7% of average in the Rio Grande Basin, it remains the lowest in the state at 73% of average. While February's improvements were certainly welcome, the state will need to receive an even wetter March in order to reach an average snowpack by April 1. Snowfall would need to approach 150% of average during the month. Statistically, the state has only a 22% chance of receiving this amount or greater snowfall. With these odds, it's advisable for the state's water users to prepare for another year of below normal water supplies.