SWSIReportJuly2007

• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update
• Date: 7/24/2007
• Description: Water Availability Task Force Meeting Presentation
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: Presentation

SAN JUAN/DOLORES BASIN

Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value for the month was -0.4. Flows at
the Animas River at Durango averaged 2,312 cfs (930/0 of
normal) with a maximum average daily peak flow of 3,380 cfs
on June 6th. The Dolores River at Dolores averaged 697 cfs
(530/0 of normal) with a maximum average daily peak flow of
1,460 cfs on June 2nd. The La Plata River at Hesperus
averaged 60.4 cfs with a maximum average daily peak flow
of 128 cfs on June 2nd. June is typically the driest month of
the year in Durango and this year was no exception with
precipitation for the month at 0.30 inches which is below the
30-year average of 0.66 inches. Precipitation to date in
Durango, for the water year, is 12.76 inches which is slightly
below the average of 13.27 inches. Temperatures in June
were above normal for the month. Durango was 2.30 above
its 30-year average high and 4.80 above its 30-year average
low.
As of the end of June Vallecito Reservoir contained
124,040 acre-feet compared to its normal contents of
102,829 acre-feet (121 % of normal). The storage in Vallecito
Reservoir is the 2nd highest amount stored for an end of June
period based on 67 years of record. McPhee Reservoir has
369,710 acre-feet compared to its normal contents of
318,871 acre-feet (1160/0 of normal). Lemon Reservoir
remained at about the same content as compared to last
month, 38,510 acre-feet as compared to its normal content of
33,130 acre-feet (1160/0 of normal). Storage in the three
reservoirs was 1150/0 of normal as of the end of June.

Outlook
Higher than normal temperatures and lower than
normal precipitation in June required the tapping into
reservoir storage to keep rivers flowing. There are only 36
years out of 112 years of record were the month of June was
drier than this year. The monsoon rains of July should kick in
soon but first few days of July give no indication they are
ready to start yet.

Administrative/Manaqement Concerns
The La Plata compact continued to be on call the
entire month of June. New Mexico placed a call for 80 cfs on
May 22nd that continued for the entire month of June.

Public Use Impacts
With summer in full bloom, kayaking has continued to
be observed by DWR staff on the Animas River.

Jul-07

SAN JlJAN-OClORES BASIN SI\JS. HISTORY

4.0

3.0

2.0

I-
W
S

1.0

W
::J
---l
<(
> 0.0
><
w
o
z
- -1.0
>-
0::
o
-2.0

-3.0

-4.0
Jan-98 Jan-99 Jan-OO Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-OS Jan-OO Jan-07

rv1CNTH / YEAR

ANIMAS RIVER NR. DURANGO, FLOW BY WATER YEAR

1,000,000
900,000
ill 800,000
Q)
LL
ill 700,000
U
<(
S- 600,000
0
---l 500,000
LL
w
> 400,000
i=
<(
---l 300,000
:J
~
:J 200,000
u
100,000

Nov Dee Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept

---8---- VvET (1973)

---a- A VG

--* 2007

--+- DRY (2002)

REPRESENTATIVE RESERVOI RS

400,000

350,000

300,000

Q)
2
~ 250,000
cti
ai
g 200,000
(;
U5
~ 150,000
m
::J

100,000

50,000

McPhee

Vallecito

Lemon

II Avg. 06/30 Contents

II 06/30/07 Contents

9