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c. ;J BASIN OUTLOmC HEPORT ~~ . O.~.' FOR /"1"> ~ +'1' . CQI..ORJ!l,D(I \~.tI'~' '0 . (f,tr'~ L (/"f [VIf'I' . ~( December 1, 1 !396 The 1997 water year is off to an excellent start. Early season snowfall has been plentiful across the state. Readings obtained bll the SNOTEL network indicate that conditions as of December 1, 1996 were above average in all of the state's major drainage basins. Percents of average range from 124% of average in the North Platte Basin, to 204% of average in the San Juan, Animels, Dolores, San Miguel basins. Colorado's statewide snowpack is 157% of average and is 165% of last year"s readings. These conditions present quite a contrast from a year ago, when the mountains of southern Colorado were still awaitin~l their first sizable snowstorm of the season. Although it remains too early to be assun3d of adequate winter snowfall in 1997, the importance of this early season snowfall cannot be overlooked. In a typical year, Colorado receives more than 20% of its total annual snowfall by the December 1 date. Precipitation data collected at SNOTEL sites ellso indicate above normal totals across the state. In general, above normal precipitation hias been observed throughout western Colorado and mountainous locations :sin03 the 1997 water year began on October 1, 1996. Many National Weather Service stations confirm this pattern with the best percents of average generally west of the Continental Divide. Statewide, SNOTEL precipitation totals are 147% of average, and llri3 l' 57% of the totals received by this time last year. Although reservoir storage is below last year's IEwels in all basins, it remains generally near, to above, the long-term average. Only the San Juan, Animas, Dolores and San Miguel basins are reporting below average storagEl, as last summer's dry conditions have taken a toll on reservoir storage acrOSS southern Colorado. The table below shows statistics for snowpack, pre!cipitation, and reservoir storage in Colorado on December 1, 1996. %OF % OF LAST I BASIN AVERAGE YEAR'S SNOWPACK* SNOWPACK* Arkansas 169 204 -- Colorado 149 130 -- Gunnison 170 270 -- -. North Platte 124 83 _. Rio Grande 189 900 r-' San Juan, Animas, 204 863 Dolores & San Miauel r-' South Platte 129 73 r-' Yamoa & White 143 120 -'-. *SNOTEL data. %OF % OF LAST %OF AVERAGE YEAR'S AVERAGE RESERVOIR RESERVOIR PRECIP. * STORAGE STORAGE 135 205 86 126 120 92 153 111 93 124 - - 167 132 49 202 82 62 114 111 94 140 - - - - The first streamflow forecasts for the season will be issued after January 1, 1997.