SWSIReportSept2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SOUTH PLATTE BASIN Basinwide Conditions Assessment The SWSI value for the month was 2.2. Reservoir storage in Dillion, Horsetooth, Eleven Mile, Cheesman, Jackson, and Barr Lake, the major component in this basin in computing the SWSI value, was 1100/0 of normal as of the end of August. Cumulative storage in the major plains reservoirs: Julesberg, North Sterling, and Prewitt, is at 400/0 of capacity. Cumulative storage in the major upper-basin reservoirs: Cheesman, Eleven Mile, Spinney, and Antero is at 990/0 of capacity. Flow at the gaging station South Platte River near Kersey was 543 cfs, as compared to the long- term average of 505 cfs. Flow at the Colorado/Nebraska state line averaged 46 cfs. Outlook The generally positive flow conditions continued in August on the South Platte and tributaries with a couple of significant rain storms that helped to keep the flows above average. With above average flow in August, the call for water on the mainstem and tributaries was more junior than in most years and certainly more junior than the last several years. Generally, municipal and agricultural reservoirs storage levels are at or above average for this time of year and thus no shortages are anticipated this year. The anticipated available storage will also provide a much better start for water year 2008 than we had for this year. Administrative/Manaaement Concerns Of note, Division personnel have supported the South Platte Task Force initiated by Governor Ritter this summer. "The Task Force is charged with clearly articulating the problems faced by water users in the South Platte River Basin and recommending potential solutions," Further, the Task Force is "to consider whether there are any changes to current water law or policy that will provide relief to junior water users without injuring senior water right holders." The junior users referred to are those with wells that have either been curtailed or pumping severely limited. The Task Force is scheduled to complete their work in September. Sep-07 8JUTH PLATTE BASIN SV\JE!). HISTORY I- W S 1.0 W :J <( > 0.0 CiS ~ >- -1.0 ~ Jan-97 Jan-98 Jan-99 Jan-OO Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-OS Jan-OO rvlCNTH / YEAR SOUTH PLA TIE RIVER NR. KERSEY, FLOW BY WATER YEAR 3,000,000 Q) 2,500,000 Q) LL Q, ~ 2,000,000 s- o ---l LL 1,500,000 w > i= ~ 1,000,000 ~ :J U 500,000 Nov Dee Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept -----8-- WET (1983) ---+-- DRY (1964) -fr- AVG --* 2007 REPRESENTATIVE RESERVOI RS 300,000 250,000 Q3 2 200,000 ~ ro Q)- g 150,000 o OJ Q) ::c m 100,000 :J 50,000 Dillon Horsetooth Eleven Mile Cheesman Jackson Barr Lake 11IIIII Avg. 08/31 Contents 11IIIII 08/31/07 Contents 3