Colorado Water Supply Oulook Report April 1 2003

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OUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN s of April 1, 2003 VFi Mountain Snowpack* (inches) 5- 1 —X Current A Average --E— Maximum --0 Minimum 30 25 S 20 c m 15 ff W L d r+ 10 5 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun *Based on selected stations Snowpack conditions in the South Platte Basin have improved in one of the most dramatic fashions in history. Measurements on April 1 are at 114% of average, which is 35% of average higher than the March 1 measurements. Most of the increased snowpack occurred in a very short span of only three days in mid- March; when blizzard conditions all along the Colorado Front Range delivered record amounts of snow., There is well over two times the amount of snow there was last year at this time. Precipitation during March was 204% of average, which is by far the highest monthly measurement this water year. The water year total is now 113% of average. Reservoirs in the basin remain extremely low for this time of year, at only 58% of average storage. There is only 68% of the amount of storage there was last year at this time. The streamflow forecasts have improved significantly from last month's forcasts. Forecasts range from only 42% of average at the inflow to Antero Reservoir, to 102% of average on Boulder Creek near Orodell.