Select Water Storage Information and Flow Conditions (3)

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-2- Reservoir Storage A summary of the status of select reservoir storage and reservoir capacity is provided in Figure 1. While the precipitation in the South Platte River basin remained slightly below average this year, last year'.s precipitation and runoff have helped most of the reservoir levels. Figure 2 shows the South Platte River flows in March 2005 and Figure 3 shows the South Platte River flows in March 2006. These figures demonstrate that the flows in March 2005 have been higher than last year at this time. Figures 4 and 5 show that reservoir storage for Colorado below Kersey are close to 100 % full. Figures 6 and 7 show that reservoir storage for Colorado above Kersey are not as full, and are lower than this time last year. Snow Pack Statewide snow pack for Colorado as of April 1, 2006 and April 17, 2006 are shown in Figures 8 and 9. Overall snow pack for Colorado is 87 percent of average with the western portion of the South Platte basin at 93 percent of average. These two figures demonstrate how the last two weeks have affected the State, with little precipitation and warm conditions occurring. This year seems to be the mirror image of last year, where the Northern half of the State received below average precipitation Figure 10 represents predictions of John Heinz, who predicts a warm period for the second half of May with little precipitation during that time. Figures 11 and 12 show the NOAA climate predictions for April-June and July-September. In both instances, they predict temperatures to be warmer than average. During the spring they predict that it will be drier than average and in the summer they indicate that there is no trend on precipitation. III. SUMMARY Unfortunately, the South Platte basin remains slightly below average. Long-term forecasts have suggested a warm, dry spring, and a warm summer season with average monsoon rains. These weather conditions and releases from storage may help some, but expect lower than average flows for the spring and summer unless we see a significant shift in weather conditions. 1NTERNET REFERENCES 0 Colorado Stream Flow Data - http://dwr.state.co.us/hvdrology/flow search.asp • Surface Water Supply Index - http://www.co.nres.usda.gov/snow • Snow Pack - http://www.co.nres.usda.gov/snow • Snow Water Equivalent - http://www.co.nres.usda.gov/snow • Reservoir Storage - http://www.co.nres.usda.gov/snow • Stream Flow Forecast - http://www.co.nres.usda.gov/snow Flood Protection • Water Project Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection Water Supply Protection • Conservation Plarunutg \