WATFMeetingSummaryJune2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 2006 DROUGHT UPDATE Colorado Statewide High/Low Year-to-Date Precipitation Summary Baself 011 Provisiollal SNOTEL If.?t.? .?S of JI//l11. 2006 Current ~s Pet of Ayg 87% Current ~s Pet of L~st Year 85% 40 Current as Pet of Avg Ann Total 70% ~~~r~(;l~s :e~td~fd~~g R~~~~~:~ ~~~ Total 149% Jan 01 F eb 01 Mar 01 Apr 01 May 01 Jun 01 Jul 01 I-Average -VVY2002 -VVY1997 -VVY2005 -VVY20061 Aug 01 Sep 01 Statewide streamflow is forecast below average for most of Colorado. Significant low flow is forecast for the southern half of the state and South Platte River Basin. This in concert with the forecast above average temperatures and limited precipitation will cause the drought conditions to persist and potentially worsen. The wildfire danger is not expected to reduce and the agriculture and livestock industry continue to have devastating impacts. COLORADO COUNTIES - DISASTER DECLARATIONS (as of 21 June 06) https://disasterhelp.gov/portal/jhtml/usda/ The adjacent figure illustrates the 2006 precipitation conditions. The water supply situation appeared to be near normal from October through March. However the precipitation for the April through June three month period was nonexistent nearly paralleling the 2002 water year. This drastic decline in precipitation had devastating impact on the agricultural and livestock industry. Although the reservoir storage is considerably better than 2002 the precipitation dependent pasture and crops struggled. The pasture and rangeland damaged in 2002 has not recovered sufficient to mitigate the 2006 impacts. Colorado Streamflow Forecast Map Percent of Average _>150 _ 130-150 c::J 110-129 _ 90-109 _ 70 - 89 _ 50 - 69 _<50 Provisional Data Subject to Revision Current as of June 1, 2006 The agricultural industry is experiencing the greatest impact of the current drought conditions. The Colorado State University Cooperative Extension reports that 32 Colorado Counties have disaster declarations due to drought and that 16 more are being considered. The forecast is for persistent drought conditions. The range land continues to experience the impact from the 2002 drought and is of little use in mitigating the 2006 impacts. Lon!! Term Forecast Summary The general forecast is for normal to below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures. Resulting in increasing drought conditions exists. The Drought Monitor shows that currently eastern and southeastern Colorado is moving into severe (Stage 2 level) drought conditions. Municipal water supply conditions are generally adequate with anticipated shortages continued for the agricultural users. Some impact to recreation and fisheries is anticipated during the late summer and early fall. NOTE: The NRCS maps depicted in this report were those presented at the June 22, 2006 meeting and may have been updated since the meeting.