SWSIReportMay2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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YAMPAIWHITE BASIN Basinwide Conditions Assessment The SWSI value for the month was 0.1. Flow at the gaging station Yampa River at Steamboat was 527 cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 589 cfs. The snow water equivalent (SWE) as of May 1 for the basins was 112% of average. April precipitation was above average for the Yampa, White, and North Platte River basins. Precipitation for the month, as measured at the SNOTEL sites operated by the NRCS, was reported at approximately 101 % of average for the Yampa and White River basins and 111 % of average for the North Platte River basin. Year-to-date precipitation is reported at 108% of average for the combined Yampa, White, and North Platte River basins. Snowpack is near average to above average for the area. NRCS continues to predict near average to well above- average runoff in the Yampa, White, and North Platte River basins. The latest runoff forecasts from the NRCS for the May through July period are 115% of average for the North Platte River near Northgate, 119% of average for the Yampa River near Maybell, 142% of average for the Little Snake River near Lily, and 98% of average for the White River near Meeker. Most of the Division 6 stream gages re-opened in April as the night temperatures increased and ice conditions diminished. The gage stations at Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake, however, remained closed due to frozen lake conditions. It is anticipated that these stations will open for the season in May. Outlook Yamcolo Reservoir and Elkhead Creek Reservoir storage levels continued to rise throughout the month, while Fish Creek Reservoir level remained fairly constant. Yamcolo Reservoir was reported at approximately 84% of capacity at the end of April, while Elkhead Creek Reservoir was at capacity and spilling. Fish Creek Reservoir level was reported at approximately 68% of capacity on April 30. Water stored in Fish Creek Reservoir is used primarily for municipal purposes, Yamcolo Reservoir for irrigation purposes, and Elkhead Creek Reservoir for municipal, industrial, and recreation purposes, as well as fish recovery releases. Administrative/Manaqement Concerns Many area reservoirs remained frozen throughout April, but were beginning to thaw. Elkhead Creek Reservoir opened for the season ~ w ::: <t > 0 x w o Z -.1 >- 0:: o .2 Q) 2 ~ 5CXl, 000 " <t ~ 400.000 -' LL ~ 300,000 >= <t -' ~ 200.000 ::J U 100,000 8 May-08 YI>lVPA-Vl.HlEBI>SINSNS HST'CR( .3 Jm-OO Jan-01 Jan-CQ Jen-03 Jan-04 Jan-CE Jm-OO Jan-O? Jan-CB M:N1H/'<EAR YAMPA RIVER AT SfEAMBOAT, FLOW BY WATER YEAR 700,000 ~ c- / / 1/ / /C- If/ ~ v 8CXJ,OOO o Oct Nov Cec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept __ WET (1984) --+- DRY (1977) -fr- AVG ""* 2CXJ8