WATFMeetingSummaryJan2008

• Title: January 2008 Drought Update
• Date: 1/29/2008
• Description: Water Availability Task Force Governor's Report
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: WATF Meeting Summary

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JANUARY 2008 DROUGHT UPDATE

Water Availability Tasl( Force Co-Chairs

Veva McCaig, CWCB - 303-866-3339
Email [e-mail]

Jack Byers, DWR - 303-866-3581
Email [e-mail]

Executive Summary
As predicted, La Nifia* conditions continue throughout Colorado. La Nifia usually produces warmer and drier than
average winters. The exception is the Northern & Southern Mountains and the parts of the Front Range, where this winter
is expected to be wetter. The Arkansas Valley will experience a dry winter. Statewide, La Nifia conditions will result in a
dry spring and summer. The current La Nifia is the eighth strongest since 1950. Forecasts show there are tendencies for
bigger La Nifia's to continue past 2008.

*

**

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Statewide, Colorado's snowpack is 122% of average. The southern half of the state is recording close to 140%
of average or better. Average snowpack declines slightly in the South and North Platte basins and also in the
Yampa/White basin.

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With 52% of the snow season behind us, Colorado is at 123% of average in terms of reaching its snowfall peale
Overall, Colorado needs 76% of average of future snowfall to reach peale

.

Statewide, reservoir storage is at 98% of average and 105% of last year. Reservoir storage statewide is at 55%
capacity. Statewide, reservoir storage has recovered from 2002 drought levels.

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Cumulative storage in the major South Platte basin agricultural reservoirs is at 71 % capacity. Major upper-basin
municipal reservoir storage is at 90% capacity. Present flow & storage conditions give hope that all major
irrigation reservoirs on the plains will fill this spring.

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According to the Colorado Water Supply Index (SWSI)**, all of the river basins have experienced a gain in their
value from last month due to the amount of snow received in the month of December. The Yampa/White
basin's SWSI value is the lowest at -0.1, which is near normal.

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Colorado's streamflow forecast statewide ranges from 70-129% of average. The northwest part of the state is
averaging 90% of average. The Rio Grande, Gunnison & San Miguel basins range from 90-129% of average,
while the northwestern half of Colorado ranges from 90-109% of average. The North and South Platte basins
are the lowest ranging from 70-89% of average.

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Municipalities, attending this meeting, included Denver Water, Aurora, and Golden. All reported normal
reservoir capacities at this time.

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The Army Corp of Engineers reported concerns over future potential flooding events in the Rio Grande due to
excellent, higher than average snowpack conditions (156% of average). This basin has far exceeded what
snowpacl( was accumulated in 2002 just from 2 storms in Dec and Jan.

Sea surface temperatures at the Equator in the Pacific Ocean impact global climate patterns. Depending on
these patterns, Colorado could be experiencing El Nino or La Nina conditions.

SWSI values are based on snowpack, reservoir storage and precipitation for the winter period (Nov-Jan).