Winter snowpack is melting out earlier than usual in most of Colorado. The statewide snowpack registered at only 40 percent of the 30-year average--but still 157 percent of last year's measurements at the same date. The Arkansas and South Platte basins, at 68 and 69 percent of average, respectively, are the best off of the state's major basins. On the Western Slope, the dominant Colorado basin is listed at only 34 percent of the long-term average. The Gunnison basin is even worse, with 26 percent of last year's figure. The lowest run-off volumes, as a percent of average, are expected to occur across the Western Slope of Colorado this year.

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