The recent large snowfall helped salvage the April snowpack level 
however, it was not enough to beat the March 30 reading, so for this season,
the maximum snowpack will be recorded as occurring on March 30th.

The snowpack measurement at C1 on April 30, 2001 shows 9.125 inches
of snow water equivalent, for 64% of the long term average.  The snow depth is
27 inches with an average density of 34%.  One month ago, the corresponding values were
10.0 " SWE (74% of avaerge), 40" depth, and 25% density.  (The increasing density
of the snowpack is a clear sign that spring is here).

Although the C1 snowpack is only at 64%, the winter precipitation is at 89%.  This suggests
that we have recieved closer to average precipitation than is indicated by the
snowpack figures alone, but it has been warmer than usual, so less of this
precipitation is in the form of snow still  on the ground.
As low as this April's snowpack may be, last year it was lower, at 7.6 ", and then it 
was not until April 1989, 5.6", that it was less.  

It is interesting to note how fast snow conditions can change this time of year.
Seven days ago, the snowpack was 74% of average, and three days before that it was
61%.  C1 recieved just under two feet of snow and 2 inches of water in the
April 21-22 storm.

Statewide, the NRCS figures show the same snowpack trends that have existed all
winter; normal to above in the south, and below normal in the north.
Our South Platte basin has 88% of average snowpack, the Upper Rio Grande basin
has 119%, for the highest percentile of average in the state, and the Yampa/White River
basin just barely squeezed by the Laramie/N. Platte for the lowest with 73%.
The Laramie/N. Platte has 74%.
In the S. Platte, not all areas are low.  Loveland and Hoosier Pass are
doing quite well with 124% and 103% respectively.

This may be the last end-of-the-month report for this season, unless May
produces some large snowfalls, which definitely does happen some years,
noteably May 1995.  But if not, see you next season.

Cheers!
Mark 

Sno Tel Data  Niwot Ridge, C-1
Snow Water Content (inches)
Values are for the end of given month
except as noted for May and June

     Season     Dec      Jan      Feb      Mar      Apr     May            Jun 
      81/82    4.75     10.5     11.75    15.5     14.9    12.0   (17th)
      82/83    3.63              4.75     12.75     17     11.75  (30th)
      83/84    12.6     13.25     15      18.9     20.75   
      84/85    3.75     6.25      8.5     10.25    8.75
      85/86     6.5      7.5      14      15.38    17.5
      86/87    6.25     8.75     11.25    12.75    11.75
      87/88     6.5      9.1     12.4     15.75    14.5
      88/89     5.5      7.6      11      10.25     5.6
      89/90     6.5     9.25     10.75    16.1     16.5
      90/91      3        5       7.1     9.38      10
      91/92    6.65     6.75      8.5     12.25    10.25
      92/93    5.75     6.75     10.75     14      15.875
      93/94    7.125    9.063    12.25    13.25    13.25     2.5  (18th)
      94/95    2.625    3.925     7.0     10.125   16.75    17.0  (22nd)  12.375  (13th) 
                                                            19.75 (30th)
      95/96    7.50     12.00    17.5     20.375   18.75     6.125 (15th)
      96/97    8.75     12.625   15.125   14.625   20.375   18.0   (15th)
      97/98    7.0625   10.0     10.125   12.875   17.25    12.875 (15th)
      98/99    3.25     6.625     8.375    9.125   14.125   14.25  (15th)
      99/2000  3.5      7.5      10.625   12.375    7.625   
      00/2001  4.375    5.375     7.125   10.00     9.125

     Average   5.778    8.306    10.694   13.301   14.031