A review of the 2004 water year in Colorado
Date
2005
Authors
Doesken, Nolan J., author
Gillespie, Michael A., author
Colorado State University, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Drought concerns prevailed throughout the 2004 water year, as streamflow and soil moisture still lagged behind average following the extreme drought of 2002. The winter months were drier than average over much of Colorado, especially over the northern and central mountains and eastern plains. March 2004 was particularly warm and dry. Fortunately, April precipitation was much above average in some of the areas of Colorado that needed it most. The summer months were unusually cool and damp east of the mountains. War and very dry conditions prevailed in western Colorado until a series of storms in September brought generous moisture to the mountains and western valleys. Overall, 2004 water year precipitation totals were near average for the state as a whole. Streamflow from mountain snowpack was below average, particularly in the Colorado River basin, but good summer precipitation and cooler temperatures stretched water supplies and resulted in a lessening of drought severity in many areas east of the mountains while essentially ending the drought in others.
Description
2005 annual AGU hydrology days was held at Colorado State University on March 7 - March 9, 2005.