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COLORADO BASIN <br />Basinwide Conditions Assessment <br />The SWSI value for the month was +2.3. Flow at <br />the gaging station Colorado River near Dotsero was 6240 <br />cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 4373 cfs. <br />Storage in Green Mountain, Ruedi, and Williams Fork <br />reservoirs totaled 124% of normal as of the end of May. <br />Outlook <br />Continued above average basin snow pack and <br />runoff, coupled with increased releases from Dillon Reservoir <br />resulted in a 500 cfs release increase from Green Mountain <br />Reservoir during the month of May. Ruedi Reservoir release <br />was also increased by 75 cfs to 400 cfs in May. Releases <br />from Ruedi will more than double to 850 cfs in early June to <br />contribute to higher Colorado River flows required as part of <br />the fish recovery program near Grand Junction. The higher <br />flows will improve habitats for the pikeminnow, humpback <br />chub, razorback sucker, and bonytail. <br />AdministrativelManagement Concerns <br />Mesa County water provider Ute Water Conservancy <br />District is expanding the storage capacity of Jerry Creek <br />Reservoirs by 1300 acre-feet (16 percent increase) to <br />accommodate continued growth. The dams of each reservoir <br />are being reinforced to increase the water surface elevation <br />by 7 additional feet, and a new spillway has been created <br />from 550,000 cubic yards of rock/riprap <br />Public Use Impacts <br />Glenwood Springs' whitewater park is being deemed <br />a success thus far with waves being created even at the <br />highest river flows so far this year. City officials are hoping <br />the park provides another draw to Glenwood's tourism with <br />the significant and reliable volume of water flowing down the <br />Colorado River in late summer when other area rivers flows <br />have receded and no longer attract attention. <br />Jun-08 <br />7 <br />