WSP13019 ‎(2)‎

• File Number: 8040.800
• Description: Colorado Water Resources
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 7/1/1999
• Author: Division of Water Resources
• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update Reports
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Data

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RIO GRANDE BASIN

Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value of 1.4 indicates that for November
the basin water supplies were above normal. The Natural
Resources Conservation Service reports that December 1
snowpack is 117% of normal.
Flow at the gaging station Rio Grande near Del
Norte averaged 200 ofs (70% of normal). ThEiConejos River
near Mogote had a mean flow of 60 cfs (6t% of no'rmal). In
general, stream flow in the basin remained significantly'
below normal. Precipitation in Alamosa was only 0.05 Inch
for the whole month, 0.38 inch below normal.
Storage in Platoro, Rio Grande, and Santa Maria
reservoirs totaled 85% of normal as of the end of November.

Outlook
Snowfall in the higher elevations was abundant
during the early part of the month. Snowpack was nearly
twice the normal level at that point. However, it had dropped
back to near average as November came to a close. Still,
this represented a great Improvement over last year.

Administrative / Manaaement Concerns
Colorado will once' again meet its annual' delivery
requirement to the downstream states under the provisions
of the Rio Grande Compact. Water was diverted from
streams in the basin for irrigation and recharge purposes
during November. Recharge diversions provide a means to
reduce over-delivery and refill the, aquifers after the
abnormally high well withdrawals this past irrigation season.
Many area farms may be liquidated this winter due to
the extremely low crop'prices. Potato growers are especially
hard-hit. Those farmers able to survive this disastrous year
must consider growing. alternative crops and/or acreage
reductions to reduce supply.

Public Use Impact
Wintertime activities got off to a fast start after the
early jump in the snowpack and the cold temperatures during
November.

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