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<br />4 <br /> <br />most concern at this time, This area of Colorado also appears to have the least chance of <br />recovery in the next couple months based on typical spring climate trends and the long term <br />forecast, Northern mountains have the best chance of recovering in terms of snowpack in April <br />and May, Southeastern plains could benefit from enhanced monsoons ifEl Nino strengthens this <br />summer, <br /> <br />Fire danger <br />The March fires in Prowers county confirm concerns of an early onset of the fire season, which <br />is anticipated to be an active one this year, <br /> <br />Early melt/runoff and Low Stream Oows <br />The low snowpack is susceptible to an early melt off, Melt off will depend mostly on <br />temperatures in April and May, Fortunately March temperatures have been on the cool side thus <br />far, Without substantial spring rains there will be lower peak Oows and a shorter runoff duration, <br />The Division of Water (DWR) resources expects substantial administration of in-stream water <br />rights this year, Administration of water rights may begin earlier than normal in some basins, <br />Those without senior water rights will be curtailed, The DWR is working with Division of <br />Wildlife (DOW) to identify stream reaches that may go dry from diversions, DWR will try to <br />notify DOW early enough to try and purchase water to maintain minimurn streamflows to protect <br />aquatic habitat. Connunities dependent on in-stream flows as a water source could see impacts, <br /> <br />Low Reservoirs <br />Large reservoirs are not expected to fill this year, This could impact marinas in the short term <br />but also have larger implications if dry winters continue, <br /> <br />Agriculture <br />Agriculture, particularly rangeland and dry land farming, will be very dependent on spring and <br />summer rains this year, though it may be too late to benefit grasslands, Federal land agencies are <br />already warning of rangeland grazing restrictions, <br /> <br />Recreation/Tourism <br />Marinas at some reservoirs may be adversely affected by low level conditions, Activities <br />dependent on adequate streamflows such as rafting and fishing could have a short season this <br />year, <br /> <br />4, Recommended actions <br />Thus far the impacts have not been great enough to warrant activation of the State's drought <br />plan, State and federal agencies have ongoing mitigation and preparedness efforts and are <br />continuing to warn water users to expect shortages this year, These action reconnendations <br />from last month remain valid: <br />