Current Theme: Waterworks
	Snowpack report - Niwot Ridge - Final 2003/2004 Mark Losleben - CU INSTAAR Research Staff

The following snowpack conditions on Niwot Ridge have been reported by Mark Losleben for the end of the 2003/2004 season. Select here for more information about these snowpack reports

Melt-out 2004 Greetings!

The snowpack at Niwot (C1) melted completely away on May 23, 2004.

For perspective, since 1981, seven years had an earlier melt-out, and two others had the same melt-out date (1991, 2001). Also, only two years melted out faster, going from peak to zero SWE, 1984 and1995. However, the number of days from peak to melt-out is a function of when peak occurs, at least as much as the amount of SWE (the faster melt- outs occur with the later peak snowpacks). Nevertheless, the earlier melt-out dates do tend to result in longer, drier summers, so let us hope for good summer precipitation amounts.

In the relatively short term (1981-2002), melt-out dates and cumulative winter precipitation (from October 1 to melt-out) have been getting earlier and drier on a state wide scale, according to NRCS data. The state of Colorado as a whole shows earlier melt-outs of 0.47 days/year, and less precipitation (0.30inches/year). However, the only individual basins showing significant trends are the Arkansas, with 0.64 days/year earlier melt-out, and the Upper Rio Grande with 0.52 inches/year less cumulative winter precipitation.

For your perusal, the records of peak and melt-out follow (since 1981).

So, until next season, have a safe, and hopefully forest fire-free summer!

Cheers, Mark

Water Peak SWE  Peak Date   Melt-Out Date  # of Days Melt Rate  Peak Day (1=Oct1)                       
Year

2004    11.6    04/26/04        05/23/04        27      0.43    209
2003    15.8    04/08/03        05/29/03        51      0.31    190                    
2002    7.0     03/28/02        05/01/02        34      0.21    179             
2001    9.8     04/24/01        05/24/01        30      0.33    206     
2000    12.5    04/05/00        05/17/00        42      0.30    188             
1999    14.7    05/04/99        06/05/99        32      0.46    216     
1998    15.2    04/29/98        06/03/98        35      0.43    211             
1997    20.4    05/03/97        06/18/97        46      0.44    215     
1996    20.6    04/08/96        05/23/96        45      0.46    191             
1995    18.1    05/31/95        06/24/95        24      0.75    243             
1994    15.5    04/16/94        05/25/94        39      0.40    198             
1993    15.9    04/21/93        05/28/93        37      0.43    203             
1992    12.6    04/01/92        05/16/92        45      0.28    184     
1991    9.4     04/01/91        05/29/91        58      0.16    183             
1990    15.3    04/14/90        06/04/90        51      0.30    196
1989    10.8    04/13/89        05/21/89        38      0.28    195
1988    14.0    03/31/88        05/27/88        57      0.25    183
1987    11.9    04/14/87        05/18/87        34      0.35    196
1986    16.8    04/19/86        06/04/86        46      0.37    201
1985    10.9    04/06/85        05/23/85        47      0.23    188
1984    21.1    05/08/84        06/02/84        25      0.84    221
1983    18.3    05/21/83        06/24/83        34      0.54    233
1982    15.1    04/16/82        06/11/82        56      0.27    198
1981    7.6     04/09/81        05/09/81        30      0.25    191