-Snow Water Equivalent & Precipitation... Monthly precipitation was below average at 61% and seasonal totals dropped to 92% of average. Snow water equivalents indexed for the basin as of June 8th are 6% of average. As of early June the snow pack is nearly gone with the only remnants remaining on northerly facing slopes above 10,000 ft. Snow graphs indicate that in some places the melt occurred 20-30 days earlier than normal.

-Soil Moisture & Streamflow... May streamflows for the Sevier River at Hatch were 118% of average. A forseable consequence of the early melt is that stream flow will now rapidly decline for the remainder of the April through July period. Streamflow models currently indicate that flows will likely be 40-80% of their normal monthly average for June and July.

-Short Term Weather Guidance...Weather guidance from National Weather Service Meteorological Models show above average precipitation and below average temperature conditions during the first 6-10 days of June. Meteorological models on June 8, indicate the Great Salt Lake Basin will remain under a moist southwest flow regime through June 17, 2009. Short term Climate Prediction Center guidance shows a slight shift to above average temperatures and below average precipitaiton conditions for the second half of June, 2009.

-General Discussions... Longer range predictions from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center are now suggesting a transition from ENSO-neutral conditions to El Nino conditions during June-August 2009. Please reference this CPC web link for further details and effects within the Sevier River Basin.

June through July volume forecast for the Sevier River ranged from 37% to 80% of average. The median forecast for the Sevier River Basin is 52% of average for the June, July period. April through July forecast were calculated using observed or estimated streamflows for April and May. The current April through July median forecast is now 70% of average.

Differences between the full period forecasts and the residual forecasts may not exactly equal the actual observed volumes due to rounding conventions (see Definitions section).

10% exceedance forecast: Given the current hydrometeorological conditions, i.e current snowpack, soil moisture and streamflow, the volume that has a 10% chance of being exceeded. Previously referred to as "Reasonable Maximum Forecast".

50% exceedance forecast: Given the current hydrometeorological conditions, i.e current snowpack, soil moisture and streamflow, the volume that has a 50% chance of being exceeded. Previously referred to as "Most Probable Forecast".

90% exceedance forecast: Given the current hydrometeorological conditions, i.e current snowpack, soil moisture and streamflow, the volume that has a 90% chance of being exceeded. Previously referred to as "Reasonable Minimum Forecast".

Acre-Foot (af): The volume equal to one acre covered one foot deep (43,560 cubic feet). See kaf below.

Average: The arithmetic mean. The sum of the values divided by the number of values. Values from 1971-2000 are used for this publication.

Categories: Much Above Average=Greater than 130%, Above Average=111-130%, Near Average=90-110%, Below Average=70-89%, Much Below Average=Less than 70%.

CBRFC: Colorado Basin River Forecast Center.

Forecast Period: The period from April 1 through July 31, unless otherwise noted.

kaf: Thousand Acre-Feet. See Acre-Foot above.

Inflow: The volume of water that flows into a reservoir or lake.

Median: The middle value of an ordered set of values. Half of the values are higher and half of the values are lower. When the set contains an even number of values the median is the average of the two middle numbers.

NOAA: National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration.

NWS: National Weather Service.

Water supply forecasts take into consideration present hydrometeorological conditions and use average basin temperatures and precipitation for the forecast period. As the forecast season progresses, a greater portion of the future hydrologic and climatic uncertainty becomes known and monthly forecasts become more accurate. For more information on the tools we use, consult Water Supply Forecasting Tools.

Volume forecasts represent adjusted flows; that is, observed flows with upstream water use taken into account. Adjusted flows will closely approximate natural or unimpaired flows. However, not all upstream diversions or impoundments are measured or quantifiable. For specific adjustments used with each forecast point, consult the Guide to Water Supply Forecasting.

The Water Supply Outlook is issued monthly January through May by the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. It represents a coordinated effort between the National Weather Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey and local water district managers.

Note: Data used in this report are provisional and are subject to revision.

For more information, or to be included on the mailing list, please contact:

Colorado Basin River Forecast Center
2242 W North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
(801) 524-5130
www.cbrfc.noaa.gov