WSP02689

• File Number: 8040.970
• Description: Basin Outlook Reports
• State: CO
• Date: 1/1/1999
• Author: USDOA
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN
as of April 1, 1999

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Mountain Snowpack* (inches)

",,*-Current ~Average
___Maximum __Minimum

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

"Based on selected stations

Precipitation. (% of average)

I_Monthly CYear-to-datel

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Oct Nov Dee Jan Fab Mar Apr May

March is usually one of the snowiest months in the Colorado Basin, but this year the basin received
less snowfall during March than any of the previous months this snow season, Extremely wann
temperatures during the month have caused early melting of the snowpack in some locations,
reducing much of the net gain in snowpack amounts since March 1, The snowpack is now 75% of
average, which is 14% of average lower than last month, The snowpack ranges from 61 % of
average in the Roaring Fork Watershed, to only 88% of average in the Blue River Watershed,
Precipitation was only 47% of average during March, and the water year total is 90% of average,
The combined reservoir storage level is 133% of average for this time of year, which is 97% of the
level last year at this time, Streamflow this runoff season is forecasted to be below average for all
of the forecast points in the basin, Forecasts range from 80% of average flow at the Inflow to
Dillon Reservoir, to only 67% of average flow on the Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs,