Salt and Verde Basins predicted to receive above normal runoff

PHOENIX - The Arizona Basin Outlook Report released this week by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) shows the state snowpack to be at above average levels. The federal agency monitors snow conditions in Arizona’s mountain watersheds each winter to estimate the amount of water available for spring and summer uses.

“The massive winter system that crossed the state in late February dramatically improved our snowpack conditions” said Travis Kolling, State water supply specialist with the NRCS in Phoenix, Arizona. “Over the second half of February, the statewide snowpack improved from 89 percent of average, to 124 percent of average by the end of the month.”

Among the findings in the March 1 Basin Outlook Report, the Salt River Basin snowpack was measured at 105 percent of the 30-year average; the Verde River Basin at 136 percent of average; the Upper Gila River Basin at 87 percent of average; and the Little Colorado River Basin at 120 percent of average.

“Overall precipitation for the water year is well above average, which means that soil conditions for runoff are greatly improved when compared to last year.” Kolling continued. “As the snowpack eventually melts, we will see higher than normal runoff in many of the states tributaries.”

The streamflow forecasts call for well above normal runoff for the Salt River Basin and the Verde River Basin, while calling for below normal runoff in the Gila River Basin and the Little Colorado River Basin. NRCS hydrologist runoff predictions are conducted bi-monthly based on the current snowpack accumulations. As the season progresses, forecasts become more accurate, primarily because a greater portion of the future weather conditions become known.   back...