WSP06278

• File Number: 8040.970
• Description: Drought Preparedness
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 6/1/2002
• Author: USDA
• Title: Colorado Basin Outlook Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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GUNNISON RIVER BASIN
as of June 1, 2002

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-i'"

Mountain Snowpack* (Inches)

Preclpitation* (% of average)

!--il'E--current ~Average
_Maximum __Minimum

I_ Month Iy l1li Year-to-date..'

10

30

100
90
80
.. 70
Cl
l! 60
..
>
<
- 50
0
-
c
.. 40
u
-
..
ll. 30.

25
.5 20
.:
c
..
;;
> 15
'5
a
w
-
~ 10
5

20

o
Oet Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar Apr May

o
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

*Based on selected stations

The snowpack measurements have been zero since May 28th at all of the twelve automated
(SNOTEL) snow measuring sites in the Gunnison Basin. The average melt out date is 54 days
later on July 4th. In early March the snowpack accumulation peaked at about 60% of the average
peak amount which usually occurs around Aprill. Warm temperatures and dry conditions from
that point on, allowed the snow to melt away rapidly leaving extremely dry slopes where there
normally would be a few feet of snow left. The monthly precipitation was only 20% of average
during May, which is the basin's lowest monthly accumulation this water year. The water year
total is only 59% of the average, which is only 68% of the water year total last year on June 1.
Reservoir storage is beginning to fall behind at only 95% of average on June 1, which is about
15% less than last year at his time. With most of the snow already melted, and the dry, warm
conditions during May, the stream forecast have been nudged down even lower than last month.
Forecasts range from only 12% of average on Tomichi Creek at Sargents, to 54% of average on
the Slate Rlver near Crested Butte.