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

YAMPA, WHITE, NORTH PLAITE AND LARAMIE RIVER BASINS
as of June 1,2001

"

Mountain Snow pack' (inches)

---*-Current --*-Average
___Maximum --+-Minimum

35

30

25

.5
~
l:
'* 20
.2:
::J
C'
W 15

~
CII
-
:e
10

5

o

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

"'Based on selected stations

Precipitation' (% of average)

~Monthly DYear-to-date I

120-

100

CII
g> 80
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<
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CII
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~
~ 40

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20-

o

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Due to warm temperatures and low amounts of precipitation the measurable snow accumulation in
these basins has rapidly diminished to nothing at most of the snow measuring sites.
Measurements in the North Platte Basin are only 31 % of average on June I, and the
measurements in the Yampa and White basins are no better, at only 29% of average. The White
River Basin has the most promising snowpack remaining, at 51 % of average, while the
measurable snow in the Elk River Watershed is completely melted. There was only 82% of
average precipitation in the higher elevations of these basins during May, and the water year total
is now 85% of average. The combined reservoir storage in these basins is at 107% of average,
which is about 3% more than last year at this time. Most of the streamflow forecasts are nearly
the same as last month's forecasts. They are extremely variable depending on location and
snowpack conditions, ranging from only 51 % of average at Elkhead Creek near Elkhead, to 82%
of average on the Yampa River above Stagecoach Reservoir.