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RIO GRANDE BASIN <br />Basinwide Conditions Assessment <br />The SUVSI value for the month was +0.8. Flow at the <br />gaging station Rio Grande near Del Norte averaged 3113 cfs <br />(125% of normal). The Conejos River near Mogote had a <br />mean flow of 1074 cfs (97% of normal). Streamflow in the <br />upper Rio Grande basin was erratic during May as <br />temperatures fluctuated widely. The long-awaited high runoff <br />really didn't come until May 18 but then shut down quickly as <br />cold temperatures just before the Memorial Day weekend set <br />in. A warming trend got things running again at the end of the <br />month, but another cold snap dropped streamflow again on <br />June 5. The hydrographic records for 2008 will show a classic <br />double peak on most streams in the basin. The higher <br />elevations and the Valley floor received below average <br />precipitation during May. Cool and windy conditions prevailed <br />throughout much of the month, detrimental to runoff and young <br />plants. Storage in Platoro, Rio Grande, and Santa Maria <br />reservoirs totaled 81 % of normal as of the end of May. <br />Outlook <br />The precipitation and high winds resulted in the Natural <br />Resources Conservation Service Stagain lowering upper Rio <br />Grande Basin forecasts on June 1 . Most streams in the area <br />are forecast in the 110 to 130% of normal range. The San <br />Antonio River in the southern end of the Valley near Antonito is <br />the basin high at 159% of normal and the Culebra Creek near <br />San Luis is the low at 87% of normal. <br />AdministrativelManagement Concerns <br />The great Memorial Day cool-off lessened the concern <br />for damage from flooding conditions. Hot temperatures have <br />not sustained long enough to bring out a rush of snowmelt. <br />Public Use Impacts <br />The erratic weather patterns have been unfavorable to <br />farmers and ranchers as the growth of crops and grazing land <br />has been stunted. Currently, reservoir storage in the basin is <br />near normal. <br />Jun-08 <br />RIO GRANDE BASIN SV~61 HISTORY <br />4 <br /> <br />3 <br />2 <br /> <br />W <br />1 <br />W <br />J <br />Q <br />>o <br />X <br />W <br />0 <br />Z <br />-1 <br />} <br />0 <br />-2 <br />-3 <br />4 <br />- <br />Jan-99 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 <br />MONTHIYEAR <br />RIO GRANDE NR DEL NORTE, FLOW BY WATER YEAR <br />1,200,000 <br />~,1000000 ~ <br />Q ~°,°°° <br />0 <br />~ ~~~ <br />W <br />~,~ <br />U ~~ <br />0 <br />Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mardi A~nl May June July A~ag Sept <br />~ U~Er (198 ~ DRY (2002) ~ AVG ~ 2008 <br />5 <br />