Extended Streamflow Prediction
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
933 FGUS64 KTUA 061350 ESPCO Water Supply Outlook June 6, 2024 ABRFC will be using the 1991-2020 AVERAGE runoff volume as our Normal at each point. May`s precipitation and snowfall were below normal again across the high elevations in the Upper Arkansas basin, similar to April. This was different from earlier in the season, which had been relatively snowy. Much of the snowpack along the eastern slopes of the Front Range of southern Colorado has melted. Seasonal runoff (April-September) is forecast to be 112 percent-of-average for the Arkansas River at Salida and 102 percent-of-average below Pueblo Reservoir. Runoff from Grape Creek, and the Cucharas and Huerfano Rivers is forecast to be 68, 80, and 78 percent-of-average, respectively. Chalk Creek is forecast to provide 96 percent-of-average runoff. Runoff from the Purgatoire River is forecast to be 63 percent-of-average. Water-year-to-date precipitation (October-May) in the mountain headwaters of Colorado is near median, overall. Reports range from 79 percent-of-median at Whisky Creek to 135 percent-of-median at Porphyry Creek. Much of the snowpack in the Arkansas basin has melted at and below the elevation of the SNOTEL stations, except the far reaches of the upper basin near Leadville. Of the stations still seeing a snowpack, Fremont Pass has 152 percent-of-median snowpack for June 1. Reservoir storage in the Arkansas River system is 102 percent-of-median above Pueblo Reservoir and 69 percent-of-median below the resorvoir. The upper reservoirs are at 99 percent of last year`s total. The lower reservoirs are at 143 percent of last year`s total. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issues three-month temperature and precipitation outlooks for the nation. The outlook for June through August calls for increased chances of above normal temperatures in the Arkansas Basin. The outlook also calls for increased chances of below normal precipitation across Colorado. ****************************************************** * * * This, and additional Water Supply Information, * * can be found on our Web Page at: * * * * www.weather.gov/abrfc/water_supply * * * ****************************************************** $$