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

SAN MIGUEL, DOLORES, ANIMAS, AND SAN JUAN RIVER BASINS
as of May 1, 2001

Mountain Snow pack' (inches)

Precipitation' (% of average)

I~Current -.-Average l
L=--Maximum __MinimumJ

I_MontHly DYear-to-date 1

45

5

180
160 :!
y
ji
140 ~
'" I l
en 120 ~
..
~
'"
> 100 k
<( ~ 'L
... ~ J j
0
- 80
l: > 11 W
'" ~ l '!
l:! 5 , ~ ~.
G> 60 -
Do '1'
; ,~
40 '! ,~ %
-
20 k
r i
0
Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

40

35

.!: 30

J
l:
'"
iU 25
.2:
::l
ill 20
~
'"
-
.. 15
:i:

10

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

*Based on selected stations

.

While most of the basins in the state have snowpack percentages significantly less than last
month, snow accumulation and slow melting rates in these basins during April have helped to
hold the snowpack percent of average to 91 % of average on May I, which is I % higher than last
month. There is over twice as much snow in the basin as there was lust year at this time. The
snowpack is highly variable ranging from only 64% of average in the San Miguel Basin, to 114%
in the San Juan Basin. Precipitation during April was 149% of average, and the water year total is
now 108% of average on May 1. The combined reservoir storage level for 6 major reservoirs in
these basins is only 74% of average for this time of year, which is nearly the same as last month.
There is only 65% of the storage there was last year at this time. Streamflow forecasts have been
reduced slightly from last month for many of the forecast points. They remain highly variable
depending on location and snowpack conditions, ranging from 74% of average at the Inlet to
Gurley Reservoir, to 122% of average at the Inflow to Vallecito Reservoir.

..