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<br />COLORADO <br />WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK REPORT <br />MAY 1,2001 <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />No significant improvements in Colorado's snowpack were measured on May I. In most <br />basins the percent of average snowpack decreased from the April I readings. Although it's not <br />over yet, it appears that the 200 I water year will not be one of those where spring storms <br />make a significant contribution to the snowpack and the state's water supplies. Most of the <br />state is now assured of below average streamflow volumes for the coming spring and summer. <br />In many respects this year has been similar to last year in many areas. The exception to this is <br />southwestern Colorado, which fortunately, is a complete reversal of last year's conditions. <br />Reservoir storage remains in good contition and may help to supplement the low flows in <br />some basins. <br /> <br />Snowpack <br /> <br />Colorado's statewide snowpack, as a percent of average, decreased slightly during April as dry <br />and wann conditions decreased the amount of new snowfall, while contributing to melting at <br />lower elevations. Currently, the snowpack is 84% of average, while last month's statewide <br />snowpack was 87% of average. Several basins decreased significantly from last month. <br />Those include the Yampa and White, Gunnison, and Colorado. Only one basin, the Rio <br />Grande, increased significantly from last month, and continues to have the highest percent of <br />average in the state. As a general trend, the present snowpack is below average across most of <br />western Colorado and improves to near average, to above average east of the Continental <br />Divide. Across the northern tier of the state the snowpack is generally below, to well below <br />average. While most people's impression is that there is more snow this year than last year, <br />surprisingly, man"y of the basins snowpack measurements are actually less this year than last <br />year. These basins include the Colorado, South Platte, Yampa, White, and North Platte. At the <br />same time, snowpack measurements in basins in southwestern Colorado are two to three times <br />that of last year. Overall, the statewide snowpack is 123% of last year's on this date. <br /> <br />Preci pi tation <br /> <br />Precipitation at high elevation SNOTEL sites was above average nearly statewide during <br />April. Only the South Plattte Basin received below average monthly total, at 94% of average. <br />The highest totals, as a percent of average, were measured in the Gunnison Basin, at 180% of <br />