End InSight January 2003

Extended extreme drought in the Northern Rockies and northern Great Plains has been the focus of recent national news. Dry conditions there, which are likely to be exacerbated by ongoing El Niño conditions, have raised concerns about serious water shortages in those regions. During the past month, drought conditions have eased somewhat for northern and eastern New Mexico, and they have intensified slightly in Arizona. Most of Arizona remains in drought conditions ranging from severe to exceptional. Short-term drought conditions, especially in New Mexico, have eased with cool temperatures, winter rain and snowfall. However, winter precipitation has been below average at many mountain locations in both states. Thus, long-term (hydrological) drought remains the chief concern of land and water resource managers in both states. During the past month the mountain snowpack water content has decreased to the point where most snow gauges in the Southwest are reporting below average amounts. This dryness has drawn down reservoirs throughout the region. In addition, the impact of winter 2002-2003 precipitation on spring 2003 streamflow is likely to be tempered, due to deficits in soil moisture accumulated over the past several years of drought