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Precipitation Precipitation measured at Colorado's SNOTEL sites was above average for February. Statewide, precipitation was 121% of average, breaking a three-month streak of below average precipitation for the state. Monthly totals were above average in all of the state's major basins. Those basins reporting the highest percentages for the month include the Arkansas, at 139% of average, and the South Platte, at 130% of average. In the remaining basins, totals for the month range from 115% to 117% of average. With a return to above average precipitation, the state's water year totals finally saw improvements. While all consistently below average, all basins range from 82% to 89% of average for the five months in the 2003 water year. Statewide, water year precipitation totals improved from 78% of average on February 1, to 87% of average on March 1. Reservoir Storage Reservoir storage saw little improvement during February. Storage volumes continue to track well below average in all basins this month, with little to no significant increases in storage. Storage volumes are the lowest, as a percent of average, in the Colorado Basin. These volumes are only 36% of average and are 42% of last year's storage. In terms of volume, this basin is also reporting the greatest deficit of any of the state's basins, with 476,000 acre-feet below the average mark for this time of year. The basin with the best storage, as a percent of average is the Yampa, with 92% of average storage. However, with only two reservoirs, with a total capacity of 42,000 acre-feet, this basin's high storage figures are relatively insignificant in comparison to the remainder of the state. Statewide, reservoir storage is now 54% of average and is only 61 % of last year's storage on this date. The state's current storage is 1.57 million acre-feet below average. Streamflow Even with the additional snowfall during February, Colorado can continue to expect below normal water supplies and runoff this spring and summer. The latest runoff forecasts call for below average volumes at all forecast points. The state's best case scenario is in the headwaters of the Colorado River, where forecasts range from 80% to 86% of average. Forecasted runoff, as a percent of average, tends to decrease towards southern Colorado, where many forecasts remain around 60% of average. All of these forecasts assume near average weather patterns for the remainder of the forecast period. Should the state receive below or above average precipitation in the coming months, these forecasts will be adjusted downward or upward accordingly. Given these well below average forecasts for most of the state, water users should anticipate shortages throughout the remainder of the year. While improvements to these forecasts can occur yet this spring, reaching even an average runoff remains highly unlikely this year.