WSP12946

• File Number: 8040.800
• Description: Water Resources for Colorado
• State: CO
• Date: 5/1/2005
• Author: US Dept of Agriculture - Natural Resoruces Conservation Service
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report May 1, 2005
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

UPPER RIO GRANDE RIVER BASIN
as of May I. 2005

Mountain Snowpack* (inches)

Precipitation. (% of average)

-+t-Current -'-Average
___Maximum -+--Mlnimum

I_Monthly DYear-lo-dale I

25

250

5

50

20

200

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0
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s:

150

100

o
Jan

O.
Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apt May

Fob

Mar

Apr

May

.Based on selected stations

Despite a sharp midmonth drop, snowpack levels on the Upper Rio Grande remain well above
average this month. Snowpack levels remained stable early in the month, dropped sharply
midmonth, then recovered slightly as snow late in the month helped augment an already solid
water supply. 111e highest since 1995, the Upper Rio Grande is at 139% of its average
snowpack, very similar to last month's reading of 140% of average. Snow levels remain high
'throughout the basin. April saw 110% of its average precipitation, pUlling the year to date
precipitation at 131 %. Reservoir storage in the basin is only at 56% of average and 19% of
'capacity. Low water storage figures might be due to the anticipation of a higher than normal
spring runoff. DLle to high snowpack levels, seasonal streamflow in the Upper Rio Grande
basin is expected to be well above average on all waterways and should be a big help in filling
thirsty reservoirs. At an expected 106% of average, streamflow on Saguache Creek near
Saguache is the lowest expected flow in the Rio Grande basin. On the other hand, Sangre de
Cristo Creek is expected to run at 177% of its average flow and Trinehera, Culebra, and Ute
Creeks are all expected to run at over 160% of their average flows.