WSP05271

• File Number: 8040.970
• Description: Basin Outlook Reports
• State: CO
• Date: 1/1/2001
• Author: USDOA
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN
as of May 1,2001

Mountain Snow pack' (inches) Precipitation' (% of average)

__Currenl --..--Average I_Monthly DYear-to-date I
___Maximum --+-Minimum

18
16
14
.5 12
~
c
Gl
c;; 10
>
'S
CI' 8
w
..
Gl
-
.. 6
3:
4
2
0
Jan Feb Mar
"'Based on selected stations

160
;y
"'
140 .
t'
120 I
Gl
Cl j
.. 100
.. t
Gl
>
<
.... 80 $' ~
0 m 1 ~
- , ~
C
Gl ,
u 60
..
Gl I:
D. ~
40 ~ 7
iI
It
20 ~
~
I
.
0
Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Apr May

II
.,

Some of the largest snow accumulation events of the season occurred during April in the
Arkansas Basin, but despite the additional snowfall, the spring snowmelt is well under way and
the measured snow accumulation is less on May I than on April I. The basin's snowpack is 82%
of average now, which is only 2% of average less than last month. The snowpack is highly
variable and ranges from only 63% of average in the Cucharas and Huerfano watersheds, to 93%
of average in the Upper Arkansas Watershed. Precipitation in the high country was 6% above
average during April, and the water year total is now 94% of average. The combined storage
among 12 major reservoirs is 159% of average for this time of year, but this is only 61 % oflast
year's storage level. Most of the streamflow forecasts remain below average on May 1. Some
have gone down from last month, while others have improved. They are highly variable
depending on location and snowpack conditions, ranging from only 72% of average on the
Cucharas River near La Veta, to 105% of average at the Inflow to Trinidad Lake.