| Lakewood,
CO -- The latest snow surveys, conducted by the USDA –
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), indicate that
Colorado’s snowpack reached its maximum accumulation for the
season, during April. As a whole, the second half of April
was considerably drier than normal, which halted any
significant additional accumulations. Warm temperatures have
allowed snowmelt to proceed as is typically expected. By
month’s end, snow melt was well underway, especially at
lower elevations.
Across southern Colorado
there was a much greater amount of snow melt than additional
snow accumulations during April. As a result, the May 1 snow
surveys show significant decreases as a percent of average
from the April 1 statistics. For these basins, the May 1
surveys mark the second consecutive month of decreasing
snowpack percentages. Since these basins had previously
reported the highest snowpack totals in the state, the lack
of additional snowfall and the initiation of lower elevation
snow melt, will help to mitigate some of the higher runoff
volumes that may have otherwise occurred. Across northern
Colorado, snowmelt during April was less dramatic which has
helped to maintain snowpack percentages at slightly above
average levels, according to Allen Green, State
Conservationist with the NRCS.
Colorado’s statewide
snowpack dipped to 115% of average on May 1, which is the
lowest statewide percentage reported since back on January 1
when snowpack totals were 110% of average. This month’s
decrease in snowpack percentage marks the second consecutive
month where statewide snowpack percentages have decreased.
The highest statewide percentage was recorded on March 1 at
135% of average.
Even with the decreasing
snowpack percentages, Colorado’s water supply outlook
remains in excellent condition across the state. The lower
elevation snow melt has produced above average streamflows
in many basins during April. Meanwhile, runoff forecasts for
the remainder of the spring and summer months continue to
call for near average to well above average volumes. The
highest volumes, as a percent of average, remain across
southern Colorado, where mid-winter storms brought
impressive snowpack totals. “This year’s runoff across the
Gunnison, Arkansas, Rio Grande and San Juan river basins
appear to be the best in over a decade and many water users
will be able to take advantage of the runoff in coming
months”, said Green.
The table below shows
Colorado’s snowpack and reservoir storage as of May 1, 2008.
|
BASIN |
% AVERAGE SNOWPACK |
% LAST YR.’S SNOWPACK |
% AVERAGE RESERVOIR STORAGE |
% LAST YR.’S RESERVOIR STORAGE |
|
GUNNISON |
136 |
290 |
99 |
79 |
|
COLORADO |
120 |
171 |
97 |
91 |
|
SOUTH PLATTE |
103 |
110 |
90 |
96 |
|
NORTH PLATTE |
109 |
159 |
--- |
--- |
|
YAMPA/WHITE |
108 |
259 |
92 |
81 |
|
ARKANSAS |
131 |
148 |
90 |
96 |
|
RIO GRANDE |
117 |
170 |
100 |
114 |
|
SAN JUAN, ANIMAS, DOLORES |
103 |
200 |
100 |
83 |
|
STATEWIDE |
115 |
172 |
95 |
89 |
Contact:
Mike Gillespie
(720) 544-2852 |
