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<br />COLORADO <br />WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK REPORT <br />JUNE 1,2001 <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />May was a fairly dry and warm month across Colorado. As a result, the state's snowpack <br />proceeded to meltout at a nearly uninterrupted pace. By June I, the snowpack percentages <br />are well below average in all basins. Even those basins across southern Colorado, which <br />had near average accumulations this season, have melted to less than half of average for <br />this date. This early meltout translates into earlier than normal peak flows, followed by an <br />earlier than nornlal return to lower base flows in mid-summer. Reservoir storage continues <br />to improve slightly and is now near average to above average in all basins. <br /> <br />Snowpack <br /> <br />In a similar fashion to last year's spring melt period, this year's snowpack melted rapidly <br />and steadily through the month of May. Colorado's SNOTEL sites indicate the state's <br />snowpack is now only 24% of average. This is the second lowest June 1 snowpack since <br />SNOTEL records began in 1986. Only last year's snowpack was lower, at only ]4% of <br />average. The lowest snow pack percentages occur in the Gunnison and Colorado basins, <br />both at only 18% of average. The South Platte Basin follows this, at 22% of average. The <br />highest percentages were measured in the Rio Grande Basin, with 57% of average <br />snowpack. The Arkansas Basin at 54% of average closely follows this. In comparison to <br />last year, the current statewide snowpack is 177% of last year's. Although this may seem <br />like a significant percentage, it becomes dramatic when considering the actual snowpack <br />data. For example, this year's June 1 average SNOTEL water content is about 1.3 inches, <br />while last year at this time it was only. 75 inches. Neither year presents a significant <br />snowpack. The most striking contrast between the two years is across southwestern <br />Colorado. While last year's snowpack had melted out in early May, this year's snowpack is <br />nearly 50% of average. The end of the 200 I snowpack season marks the end of four <br />consecutive years of below average snowpack across the state. <br /> <br />Precipitation <br /> <br />Precipitation measured at SNOTEL sites across the state was generally below average <br />during May. Only two basins, the South Platte at 103% of average, and the Arkansas at <br />100%, recorded average to above average monthly totals. While no basins reported <br />extremely low totals for the month, they range from 82% of average in the Colorado and <br />Yampa and White, to 93% in the Gunnison Basin. Statewide, SNOTEL precipitation was <br />