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 June 1,2001

Mountain Snowpack* (inches)

Precipitation* (% of average)

__Current ---.-Average
___Maximum -+-Minimum

l--Monthly DYear-to-date I

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Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

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Apr

May

*Based on selected stations

The snowpack measurements in the Rio Grande Basin remain the highest in the state on June I.
Warm temperatures during May have drastically reduced the amount of snow in the high country
from 120% of average on May I, to only 57% of average on June I. Although the June I
measurement is meager, it is over 75 times more snow than last year. Most of the remaining snow
is in the Rio Grande Watershed above Del Norte, which has 59% of average accumulation at this
time. Precipitation measurements in the higher elevations were 90% of average during May, and
the water year total is now 106% of average on June I. Reservoir storage has improved since
May I, and is about 41% above average for this time of year, and is 6% above the storage amount
last year at this time. Stream forecasts for the remaining runoff season are very similar to last
month for most of the forecast points, and most remain near to above average. Forecasts range
from only 66% of average on the San Antonio River near Ortiz, to 132% of average on the Rio
Grande at Wagon Wheel Gap.