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<br />SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN <br />as of January 1,2003 <br /> <br />Mountain Snowpack* (Inches) <br /> <br />---+{-Current -6-Average <br />___Maximum --+-Minimum <br /> <br />30 <br /> <br /> <br /> 25 <br />C 20 <br />-' <br />c <br />.!! <br />~ <br />1: 15 <br />~ <br />0- <br />W <br />" <br />~ <br />- <br />~ 10 <br />;: <br /> 5 <br /> <br />o <br /> <br />Jan Fob Mar Apr May Jun <br /> <br />.Ba~t'd on selecled stations <br /> <br />Precipitation"' (% of average) <br /> <br />I_Monthly DYear-lo-date I <br /> <br /> <br /> 140 <br /> 120 <br />~ 100 <br />0> <br />~ <br />" <br />~ <br />> 80 ' - <br /><< <br />- <br />0 <br />- -- <br />c 60 <br />~ <br />u <br />" <br />~ <br />0.. <br /> 40 <br /> 20. <br /> 0 , , <br /> Oc' Noy Doc Jao Fob Mar Ap, May <br /> <br />The January I snow measurements in the South Platte Basin are only 73% of average. Although <br />this is 37% more snow than last year at this time, it is far from the amount needed to help pull the <br />basin out of drought conditions. If weather patterns improve for snow accumulation many <br />portions of the basin could easily reach above average amounts by April I. Unfortunately some <br />portions, such as the Upper South Platte Watershed, which is currently only 59% of average, may <br />be lucky to reach average conditions before the meltout begins. Precipitation was only 39% of <br />avcrage for the month of December, and the water year total is only 87% of average. There has <br />been 37% more-precipitation this water year compared to this time last water year. Reservoirs in <br />the basin have only 47% of their average storage for this time of year. There is only 61 % of last <br />year's storage amount. The early runoff forecasts are much below average at this time, and only a <br />significantly improved snowpack will allow them to improve. Forecasts range from only 48% of <br />average at the inOow to Antero Reservoir, to 71 % of average on the St. Vrain Creck at Lyons. <br />