| Show 9 c i k Reclamation Forecasts Vast Runoff From Upper Colorado River This Year The April through July runoff from the Upper Colorado river is forecast lore fore cast to reach acre acre- feet teet Bureau of ot Reclamation spokesmen said this week This forecast compares with the foot acre forecast fore cast made with data available on March 1 and with feet acre-feet as the time long average average av avo av- av runoff for the April through July runoff period The notable Increase In the April forecast as compared with the March forecast has resulted for several reasons The Colorado and GunnIson rivers above Grand Junction Colorado normally yield a major part of the total runoff from the Upper Basin The areas drained by these two streams received about 25 per percent percent percent cent above normal precipitation tion in March to boost the runoff outlook from these Important Furthermore Furthermore Furthermore Further Further- more the late March storms which hit lilt the Upper Basin were mainly high elevation snowfalls which were not re netted fleeted In the precipitation readings taken at the 58 lower low lower er elevation reporting statIons stations stat state ions used In the March 1 forecast The detailed data on the high mountain obtained ob ob- ob tamed from 48 now snow courses course In the Upper Basin revealed well above normal water content content con cone tent on April 1 which is the beginning of 01 the period This increment in potential potential po runoff was incorporate incorporated ed cd In the average forecast fi figure fiegure fie fl gure of ot acre The outlook for tor runoff from the Upper Basin is very good Bureau of Reclamation sour sour- ces cos indicated unless unusual spring weather Is experienced Runoff could be significantly reduced by above normal temperatures accompanied by dry winds and no tion Even with such condi condI- conditions condItions it now appears that at least average runoff can be anticipated from the Upper Colorado river basin Of at the feet acre average forecast amount acre feet teet would originate originate or or- in tn the Upper Green river drainage above Flaming Flam Flame ing Gorge dam and acre feet teet above Navajo dam on the San Juan river |
