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V""'-' "] . ,,0! ~c?.dlr..- ~t'll": 0.'5 ,..) <,-I.~ .;,:~ t.. COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE f. . FROM THE OFFICE 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 December 2000 December 1 marks the beginning of the winter period for Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) calculation. During ;. this period, the SWSI calculation shifts from integrating the summer stream flow to utilizing the winter snowpack. i . Snowpack throughout the state, as of December 1, 2000, ranged from 74% of normal in the South Platte Basiil to 129% 'ofi. normal in the San Juan/Dolores Basin. The statewide average snowpack was 84% of normal. Continu~ snbWpack : . accumulation will be key to recovering from this summer's drought and ensuring adequate water supplies for nexti' irrigation season. . 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 snowpack, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). :. During the winter period, snowpack 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' December 1. 2000, and reflect the conditions during the month of November. Basin South Platte Arkansas Rio Grande Gunnison Colorado YampalWhite San Juan/Dolores December 1, 2000 SWSI Value -1.7 -1.8 1.4 -1.8 -1.8 -1.4 0.5 Change From Previous Month -3.1 -2.2 +2.4 -0.1 -1.5 -0.4 +1.1 -4 Severe Drought Scale o Near Normal Supply 1 -3 -2 Moderate Drought -1 Change From Previous Year ~2.5 +0.9 +5.1 +1.9 +1.3 +2.1 +3.8 : 2 Above Normal Supply 3 4 Abundant -Supply ,.\'0,,;