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WATER RESOURCES I . .}....'H -', _,J...<",~._. Water Supply Outlook Winter storms have improved the water supply outlook for much of the West Arizona snowpack and January precipitation are above average, Reservoir storage is very good and streamflows are forecast at 89%. - 408% of average, The Salt and Verde River systems are at about 75% of capacity, and water is being released due to early February storms. California ended its "drought watch," as heavy rains caused flooding and millions of dollars in damages in the second wettest January in 74 years. Snow water content in the Northern and Central Sierra already exceeds the average for April 1 , usually thE: date of peak snowpack. Watershed snowpack in Lake Tahoe Basin is at 185% of average, and at 456% of last year's leveis. Northern and eastern Colorado have had little precipitation. Although reservoir storage is improving, shortages are expected in some areas. January left below average snowpack throughout the south Platte and upper Arkansas river basins, with some front range areas at less than 50% of average. Above normal streamflows are predicted in the southwest, including the Rio Grande Basin. Southern parts of Idaho benefitted from Pacific moisture that caused flooding in California last month. Idaho's snowpacks are near or above average in most of the state and streamflow projections are good. Precipitation ranged from below to above average in various parts of the state last month. Reservoir storage is still below average throughout most of the state. Reservoir storage improved this year, but two more months of normal precipitation are needed to ensure adequate water supplies this summer. Due to low reservoir storage ievels, the possibility of flooding is minimal, despite healthy snowpacks throughout Idaho. Montana's January temperatures were high, with rain in lower elevations melting snowpacks. Snow water content is up 40% over last year in western Montana. However, the Bearpaw Mountains are 64% below average and 78% below last year's snowpack levels. Precipitation levels in January were 17% below average and 3% above last year, although water year precipitation was 15% above average and 52% above last year. Major reservoir storage statewide was 24% below average, and 39% below last year's leveis. Streamflow forecasts statewide were 8% below average, . but 32% above last year's predictions. Nevada water supplies have improved dramatically, though reservoirs continue to suffer from the effects of past drought Storage leveis are at 10% to 65% of average, except for the lower Colorado River basin (at 100%). All basins expect good streamfiows. Snowpack conditions across New Mexico range from 116% (San Juan River Basin) to 179% (Mimbres River Basin) of average, with Rio Grand Basin snowpack at 132% of average. Reservoir storage ranges from 100% of average (Pecos River Basin) to 212% in the Rio Grand Basin. Precipitation levels are well above average i~ all bl'lsin" StrA'lmflnws are expected to be high. Current streamflows in the San Francisco/Gila and Mimbres are between 500% and 625% of average. Oregon's snowpack ranges from 104 to 161 percent of normal. Warm temperatures and above normai rainfall melted much of Oregon's snowpack at lower and middle elevations. Streamflows rose several months early, with iocalized flooding, particularly in southern Oregon and the Willamette valley. Reservoir storage has increased dramatically over the last month, doubling in the state's southern drainages. . Utah's precipitation is above average, but some sites are still well below normal. Temperatures have been unseasonably high, melting low elevation snowpacks. Reservoirs are at 45% of capacity. A major storm on Valentine's Day raised the snowpack's water content statewide by 7% and brought the Bear River drainage up to normal for the first time in several years. Virgin River basin snowpack is now 38% above the April 1 average. Washington snowpacks and precipitation levels are above average statewide. Warm temperatures and record rainfalls in some parts of the state raised many rivers to flood state levels in January. Summer streamflow forecasts are good, with the Columbia projected at 85% of average at the Canadian border. Snowpack conditions across Wyoming are below average, though better than last year. Precipitation in high eievations was good, but below normal in several river basins. Reservoir storage is generally poor, with central and southwest areas showing signs of possible water shortages. . The WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL is an organization of representatives appointed by the Governors of member states - Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming - and associate member states Alaska, Montana and Washington.