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

GUNNISON RIVER BASIN
as of May I, 2005

Mountain Snowpack* (inches)

~Current ~Average
___Maximum -4-Minlmum

30

25
c 20
-
c
.!!
m
> 15
"5
tT
W
"
.!!
m 10
;:
5

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

'Uased on selected slalions

Precipitation' {% of average}

I_Monthly OYear-to-da!..!J

200.
180
160
. 140
'"
m
" 120
.
~
- 100 ! --
C
-
C
. 80
u
"
.
a. 60
40
20
O.
Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Like other drainages in Southern Colorado, the Gunnison has benefited from above average
snowpack all winter. A series of storms in late April kept snow levels at 125% of average as of
May I, very close to the 127% of average recorded last month, and the highest May I
snowpack since 1997. Most rivers in the Gunnison drainage fall in line at around 125% of
average with the exception of Surface Creek, which contains 145% of its average snowpack
based on measurements from three SNOTEL sites in the basin. Despitc about average
precipitation for the month of April, year to date precipitation remains above average at 119%
of average, Reservoir storage in the basin is at about the average, 97% of average, but only
87% of storage from last year at this time. Expect average to well above average streamflow
throughout the Gunnison basin this spring. Flows should range from 93% of average on
Tomichi Creek at Gunnison to as high as 158% of average on Surface Creek at Cedaredge.