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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE FROM THE Of'FICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER: COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST., DENVER, CO 80203 303-866-3581; www.water.state.co.us/default.htm AUGUST 1999 Water supply conditions continue to do quite well statewide, as evidenced by all basins having a positive SWSI value. Most stream flows are holding to near normal rates. Reservoir storage levels continue to be high, with most of the reservoirs in the state full or nearly full. Frequent rain throughout the state has supported stream flows and reduced the demand for diversions to irrigation, both of which are producing administrative river calls of a more junior date than is typical for this time of year. While the rain has helped increase the available water supply, it has also resulted in wet fields, hindering hay cutting and harvesting of other crops. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on stream flow, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period, stream flow is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for August 1, 1999, and reflect the conditions during the month of July. Basin South Platte Arkansas Rio Grande Gunnison Colorado Yampa/White San Juan/Dolores -4 Severe Drought -3 -2 Moderate Drought o ~, -' ~ ~ --S \ v --...;' \, ,I jro ~ V\ -<: V") ...;;... ~ ~ -+-:, ~ August 1, 1999 SWSI Value 3.0 2.0 2.5 1.9 1.5 0.4 2.8 Change From Previous Month -0.5 -0.5 +0.6 +0.3 +0.3 -0.4 +1.3 Change From Previous Year 0.0 +0.9 +2.8 +1.4 +0.6 -2.0 +1.7 -1 Scale o Near Normal Supply 4 Abundant Supply 1 2 Above Normal Supply 3 1