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

ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN
as of March 1, 1999

Mountain Snowpack' (inches)

Precipitation' (% of average)

~Current ...-.-Average
__Maximum __Minimum

I_Monthly OIVear-to.date I

20
18
16
.5 14
.;
c: 12
D
ii
> 10
'5
t7'
w
.. 6
D
-
to
:: 6
4
2
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May

180
160
140
D
Q 120
I!
D
~ 100
...
0
1: 80
D
l:!
D 60
a..
40
20
0
Oct Nov Dee Jen Feb Mar Apr May

.Based 00 selected statiODS

The snowpack in the Arkansas Basin has gone from 86% of average on February 1 to 79% of
average on March 1, The snowpack is extremely variable from north to south, with amounts at
90% of average in the Arkansas Basin above Salida, and only 55% of average in the Purgatoire
Watershed, There is 80% of the amount of snow there was last year at this time. Precipitation
during February was only 77% of average for the month, and the wateryear total is now 115% of
average, Combined reservoir storage levels in the Basin are at 211 % of average for this time of
year, which is 92% of the amount last year at this time, All of the streamflow forecasts for this
runoff season are below average, The forecasts are variable throughout the basin depending mostly
on location and current snowpack conditions, They range from only 62% of average on the
Cucharas River near Laveta, to 95% of average on the Arkansas River at Salida,