Gunnison Basin snowpack favorable for water supplies

115 percent of average as of April 1

As the ski season winds down, the Gunnison Basin’s snowpack sits at 115 percent of average, according to Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) snow survey supervisor Mike Gillespie. Snowpack has been declining each month since January, when it sat at 158 percent of average. But according to Gillespie, April is the best time to assess snowpack.

“April 1 is the most important reading of the year because we’re right near peak seasonal accumulation,” Gillespie said. “Runoff forecasts are typically as accurate as they’re going to get right now.”
Snowpack data, collected by SNOTEL, an automated system of climate sensors operated by NRCS, shows Gunnison Basin right in the middle of a statewide gradient: high snowpack in the northern tier of the state, which received most of the winter storms, to lower percentages in the south. It leaves Gunnison Basin well-positioned heading into the summer months.
“We’re forecasting above-average runoff across the northern part of Gunnison Basin, and that is a favorable condition for all water users. Water rights will be met, people won’t be curtailed from receiving water rights, that kind of thing,” Gillespie said.
The same north to south transition visible across the state is mirrored in Gunnison Basin. The inflow into Paonia Reservoir is at 131 percent of average, and to the south, Uncompahgre is at 94 percent. Blue Mesa sits right in the middle, at 111 percent of average.
“We’ve been hanging around that percentage for most of the winter, so there is no real surprise there, but it’s good news,” Gillespie said. “Overall, we’re at 114 percent of average, so that’s in good shape. That’s good inflows and good storage. It’s just another favorable statistic.”