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

UPPER RIO GRANDE RIVER BASIN
as of May 1, 2001

Mountain Snow pack> (inches)

Precipitation> (% of average)

__Current ---'-Average
___Maximum ---+--Minimum

~Monlhly IIlYear-to-d~

25

5

180-
160
;J
140 ~;
GI ~
Cl 120 ~
l'!! .
CD
> 100- i!
<( I
-
0
- 80 "
c I
CD
u
~
CD 60
D.. iF
40- -
20
i "
0 I,

20

.5

oS
:Ii 15
iii
>
oS
cr
w
~ 10
-
..
:=

o

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

"'Based on selected stations

1\
I
I
\

The snowpack measurements in the Rio Grande Basin remain the highest in the state on May I.
Additional snow accumulation and slow melting rates in this basin during April have elevated the
snowpack percent of average to 120%, which is an increase of 18% of average from last month.
There is over three times the amount of snow in the basin then there was last year at this time. The
snowpack ranges from 95% of average in the Culebra and Trinchera watersheds, to 129% of
average in the Upper Rio Grande Watershed. Precipitation measurements in the higher
elevations were 180% of average during April, and the water year total is now 108% of average
on May I. Reservoir storage is about 11 % above average for this time of year, but is only 69% of
the storage amount last year at this time. Stream forecasts for the runoff season have gone up
slightly from last month for most of the forecast points, but most remain near, to much above
average. Forecasts range from 86% of average on the San Antonio River near Ortiz, to 132% of
average on the Rio Grande at Wagon Wheel Gap.