Runoff predicted to be above normal

PHOENIX, Arizona – The Arizona Basin Outlook Report released this week by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) shows the state snowpack to be at near normal 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 snow we received at the end of December produced well above normal snowpack conditions that we continued to experience throughout much of last month” said Travis Kolling, State Water Supply Specialist with the NRCS in Phoenix, Arizona. “Despite limited snowfall in January, the statewide snowpack was only slightly reduced from well above normal at the beginning of the month, to near normal levels to close out the month.”

Among the findings in the February 1st Basin Outlook Report, the Salt River Basin snowpack was measured at 86 percent of the 30-year average; the Verde River Basin at 104 percent of average; the Upper Gila River Basin at 82 percent of average; and the Little Colorado River Basin at 96 percent of average.

“January was an extremely dry month across the state, and monthly precipitation was well below normal. The good news is that cumulative precipitation since October 1st is slightly above 30-year normal levels”, Kolling continued. “These conditions increase the chances for normal to above normal runoff in the state’s streams and rivers that replenish our reservoirs.”

The streamflow forecasts call for normal runoff in the Upper Gila, Little Colorado River, and Salt River Basins, while calling for well above normal runoff in the Verde 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.

The NRCS Arizona Basin Outlook Report and other related reports are available at http://www.az.nrcs.usda.gov/snow.   back...