Observed streamflow was much above median in the Gila River Basin during the 1998 runoff season. The January through May streamflow was near 200% of median on the Gila River near Gila and the Gila River near Solomon and near 280% of median on the San Francisco River near Glenwood.
Snow water equivalent was so high on January 1 (245% of median) that even though January precipitation was only 45% of median, the snow water equivalent was still much above median (150%) on February 1. The February, March and April monthly precipitation amounts were all between 180% and 225% of median. The October through April seasonal precipitation total was 160% of median.
The forecast streamflow volumes were too high in January for the San Francisco River near Glenwood and the Gila River near Solomon and slightly low in February, March and April. The Gila River near Gila forecasts were too low for each of the forecast periods. Observed streamflow volumes were all within the forecast 10% and 90% exceedance values with the exception of the April through May volume for San Carlos Reservoir inflow which came in above the forecast maximum.