Colorado Basin Outlook Report March 1 2005

• Description: Colorado Basin Outlook Report March 1 2005
• State: CO
• Date: 3/1/2005
• Author: Green, Allen; Knight, Bruce
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report March 1 2005
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Y
16
SAN MIGUEL, DOLORES, ANIMAS, AND SAN JUAN RIVER BASINS
as of March 1, 2005
*Based on selected stations
Conditions continued to improve in the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan River
basins during February. Snowpacks in the basins are above average to well above average.
Percent of average values range from 123% of average for the San Miguel River Basin to 155%
of average in the San Juan River Basin. Overall, the snowpack was measured at 145% of
average. According to SNOTEL data, favorable weather patterns elevated snow water contents
over the average peak snow water content for the combined basins early in February. This is
the best March 1 snowpack the area has seen since 1997 and eclipses last year's March 1
snowpack measurements by 38 %. At 94% of average, February precipitation came in a little
light but total precipitation since October 1 remained well above average at 137% of average.
Despite being below average (81 % of average), reservoir storage is 20% higher than it was a
year ago and current conditions should help to improve reservoir storage totals. Runoff in the
basins is expected to be above average to well above average. April -July volumes are expected
to range from a low of 105% of average at the Lilylands Reservoir Inlet to a high of 160% of
average for the Navajo Reservoir Inflow, La Plata River at Hesperus and the Mancos River
near Mancos.
Mountain Snowpack* (inches)
—— Current Average
—E— Maximum —♦-- Minimum
45
40
35
30
c
d
25
w
20
L
d
i+
15
10
5
0
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
*Based on selected stations
Conditions continued to improve in the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan River
basins during February. Snowpacks in the basins are above average to well above average.
Percent of average values range from 123% of average for the San Miguel River Basin to 155%
of average in the San Juan River Basin. Overall, the snowpack was measured at 145% of
average. According to SNOTEL data, favorable weather patterns elevated snow water contents
over the average peak snow water content for the combined basins early in February. This is
the best March 1 snowpack the area has seen since 1997 and eclipses last year's March 1
snowpack measurements by 38 %. At 94% of average, February precipitation came in a little
light but total precipitation since October 1 remained well above average at 137% of average.
Despite being below average (81 % of average), reservoir storage is 20% higher than it was a
year ago and current conditions should help to improve reservoir storage totals. Runoff in the
basins is expected to be above average to well above average. April -July volumes are expected
to range from a low of 105% of average at the Lilylands Reservoir Inlet to a high of 160% of
average for the Navajo Reservoir Inflow, La Plata River at Hesperus and the Mancos River
near Mancos.