After a somewhat dry start to the water year, December precipitation was much above average in the Upper Colorado, Gunnison and Dolores basins. This brought the seasonal precipitation to just above average in all basins and the January 1st snow water equivalent to much above average.

December precipitation was 170% of average in the Upper Colorado mainstem basin, which made up for a rather dry start to water year 2009. As of January 1st, the overall basin snow water equivalent was 125% of average. The snowpack is not uniform across the basin; the areas on the northern side of the basin, bordering the White and Yampa basins, have snow water equivalent percentages not quite as high as those in the areas on the southern side of the basin, which border the Gunnison basin. The Roaring Fork basin has the highest snow water equivalent with over 140% of average. Model soil moisture was near normal heading into the winter and December streamflow was also near normal. The April through July streamflow forecasts range between 92% and 116% of average at this time.

-Model Soil Moisture/Observed Streamflow...Soil moisture for most of the upper basins in the Gunnison was near to slightly below average in the fall. Observed streamflow for the month of December was near average for the Gunnison.

-Snowpack/Precipitation...As of January 1st, snowpack across the Gunnison was 130 percent of average. Precipitation over the Gunnison Basin for December was much above average with 210 percent. Seasonal average precipitation for the Gunnison increased to 115 percent.

-Short Term Precipitation Forecast...The forecast models through next week keep the Gunnison Basin relatively dry with near average temperatures.

-General Discussion...The current snowpack and statistical forecast suggest the April-July forecast of 105 to 110 percent of average. However, the ESP guidance suggests a forecast of near average due to slightly lower than average soil moisture. The CPC guidance continues to show the possibility of equal chances of above or below average precipitation for January through March across the Gunnison Basin.

-Model Soil Moisture/Observed Streamflow...Soil moisture for most of the upper basins in the Dolores were below average in the fall. This was most likely due to limited monsoonal precipitation during the summer months. Observed streamflow for the month of December was mostly below average for the Dolores.

-Snowpack/Precipitation...As of January 1st, snowpack across the Dolores is currently 145 percent of average. Precipitation over the Dolores Basin for December was much above average with 235 percent. Seasonal average precipitation for the Dolores Basin increased to 115 percent.

-Short Term Precipitation Forecast...The forecast models through next week keep the Dolores Basin relatively dry with near average temperatures.

-General Discussion...The current snowpack and statistical forecast suggest the April-July forecast of 115 to 120 percent of average. However, the ESP guidance suggests a forecast of around 110 percent of average due to lower than average soil moisture. The CPC guidance continues to show a possibility of below average precipitation for January through March across the Dolores Basin.

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).