SWSIReportSept2007

• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update
• Date: 9/25/2007
• 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 2.8. Flows at the
Animas River at Durango averaged 890 cfs as compared to
the long term average of 552 and had an average daily peak
flow of 1990 cfs on August 8th. The Dolores River at Dolores
averaged 275 cfs with an average daily peak flow of 647 cfs
on August 6th. The La Plata River at Hesperus averaged
35.2 cfs with an average daily peak flow of 113 cfs on
August 4th. At the end of the month Vallecito Reservoir
contained 99,270 acre-feet compared to its normal contents
of 69,280 acre-feet (1430/0 of normal). McPhee Reservoir
has 312,058 acre-feet compared to its normal contents of
273,880 acre-feet (1140/0 of normal). Lemon Reservoir has
27,430 acre-feet as compared to its normal content of
22,271 acre-feet (1230/0 of normal).
The monsoon season typically begins in July and
continues into August. August is typically the wettest month
of the year in the basin. This year Durango recorded 2.63
inches for the month which is slightly above the 30-year
average of 2.59 inches. Precipitation to date in Durango, for
the water year, is 17.10 inches which is slightly below the
average of 17.57 inches. Temperatures in August were
above normal for the month. Durango was 2.90 above its
30-year average high and 2.00 above its 30-year average
low.

Outlook
The monsoon rains of August were not disappointing
this year. Rainfall for the month of August was normal but a
dry spell at the end of August has continued into the first part
of September.

Administrative/Manaaement Concerns
The La Plata compact continued to be on call the
entire month of August. New Mexico placed a call for 80 cfs
on May 22nd that continued for the entire month of August.
All Colorado ditches were turned off on August 24th in order
to stay in compliance with the La Plata compact. A
rainstorm on August 28th was sufficient to get No. 5 water
right in and keep it in the remaining part of the month.

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

Sep-07

SCIN JU<W-DJLORES BASIN SV\JE!). 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-97 Jan-98 Jan-99 Jan-OO Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-03

rv1CNTH / YEAR

ANIMAS RIVER NR. DURANGO, FLOW BY WATER YEAR

1,000,000
900,000
Q) 800,000
Q)
LL
Q, 700,000
U
<(
$- 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

--e- WET (1973) ---+-- DRY (2002) -fr- AVG --* 2007

REPRESENTATIVE RESERVOI RS

400,000

350,000

300,000

Q3
2
~ 250,000
ro
Q)-
g 200,000
o
OJ
~ 150,000
m
:J

100,000

50,000

McPhee

Vallecito

Lemon

IIIIIIIAvg.08/31 Contents

III 08/31/07 Contents

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