Water Supply Outlook-NWS-Pueblo

As of April 1, the 2014 snowpack was below average across the Rio Grande Basin of south central Colorado.  Across the Arkansas Basin of southeast Colorado, the snowpack was highly variable, ranging from above average north of highway 50 to below average south of the highway. 

The Arkansas Basin snowpack measured 112% of median overall, up from 109% of median on March 1 and higher than 78% of median a year ago at the same time.  All of the above average snowpack in the Arkansas Basin was located north of highway 50 while snowpack south of the highway was below to well below average.  The Rio Grande snow pack measured 79% of median overall which was unchanged from March 1 and higher than 69% of median a year ago at the same time. 

At the end of March, overall reservoir storage was below average across southeast and south central Colorado.  Storage in the Rio Grande Basin was at 73% of average overall, up from 68% of average on March 1 and higher than 54% of average a year ago at the same time.  In the Arkansas Basin, storage was at 67% of average overall, up from 60% of average on March 1 and higher than 55% of average a year ago at the same time. 

For the Arkansas Basin, streamflow volumes for the upcoming runoff season are outlooked to range from above to below average.  Following are the latest available streamflow forecasts for selected locations in the Arkansas Basin assuming normal precipitation during the remainder of the snow season: 

LOCATION                   % OF AVERAGE     RUNOFF PERIOD 

ARKANSAS RIVER
  Granite                               107                         APR-SEP
  Salida                                  115                         APR-SEP
  Canon City                         107                          APR-SEP
  Above Pueblo                    105                         APR-SEP

CHALK CREEK
  Near Lathrop                    119                          APR-SEP

GRAPE CREEK
  Near Westcliffe                 79                           APR-SEP

HUERFANO RIVER
  Near Redwing                    78                           APR-SEP

CUCHARAS RIVER
  Near La Veta                      48                            APR-SEP

PURGATOIRE RIVER
  Trinidad                             49                            APR-SEP

These forecasts reflect natural flow only.  Actual observed flow will likely be affected by upstream water management.  This is the fourth of six outlooks issued from January through June.  The next outlook for the 2014 runoff season will be issued during the first part of May.  Users of this product are encouraged to contact the National Weather Service in Pueblo for continued updates on the water supply situation.  Meteorological conditions could develop that would have a significant impact on water supply forecasts.