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Preci pi tation April was an excellent month for precipitation across most of Colorado. Only two basins reported near average monthly totals. Those include the combined Yampa and White, at 97% of average, and the Colorado Basin, at 101 % of average. The remainder of the state recorded basinwide percentages for the month ranging from 139% of average in the South Platte, to 209% of average in the Arkansas. Statewide, precipitation measured at SNOTEL sites was 131 % of average for the month of ApriL In several basins, the April precipitation was more than enough to compensate for the previous dry March. Those basins include the Arkansas, Rio Grande and South Platte. Water year totals are now the highest in the Rio Grande Basin, at 104% of average. Statewide, water year totals returned to the same percentage recorded on March 1, 89% of average. Reservoir Storage Colorado's reservoirs continue to make slow, but steady improvements in storage across most of the state. While still generally below average, volumes have improved significantly over the past two years. The best storage is reported in the Gunnison and the Yampa White basins at 111 %, and 106% of average, respectively. Only two basins continue to report well below average storage volumes. Those include the Arkansas and Rio Grande, at 53% and 54% of average, respectively. Statewide, volumes as a percent of average have improved again for the sixth consecutive month and are now 84% of average. Statewide, storage volumes are now nearly 2.9 million acre feet. While these volumes are b.s million acre fe'et below average, they show a marked improvement from the August 2002 volumes of 1.8 million acre feet, which was 1.9 million acre feet below average. This year's storage is higher in all basins with the single exception of the Rio Grande, which is reporting 91 % of last year's volumes. The, Colorado Basin is reporting the highest volume over that oflast year, a(211 %. Statewide, this year's storage is 139% oflast year's. Streamflow Even after a wet month during April, Colorado can continue to expect below average runoff for the 2004 season. Only a handful of small tributaries in the Arkansas and Rio Grande basins are forecast to produce near average runoff this year. Elsewhere across the state, runoff volumes are forecast to be below, to well below average. Some of the lowest forecasted volumes, as a percent of average, occur in the Upper South Platte, North Platte, and Yampa basins. Forecasted streamflows in these basins are all less than 50% of average. For the state's larger rivers, the best prospects for runoff are along the Arkansas, the Rio Grande and San Juan. Forecasted volumes along these rivers typically range from 80% to 90% of average. Colorado will make a poor contribution to refilling Lake Powell this year with flows along the Colorado, Yampa,and Dolores Rivers at only about 50% to 65% of average.