SWSIReportJuly2008

• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update
• Date: 7/25/2008
• Description: Water Availability Task Force Meeting Materials
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: Presentation

YAMPAIWHITE BASIN
Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value for the month was 2.1. Flow at the
gaging station Yampa River at Steamboat was 2655 cfs, as
compared to the long-term average of 1704 cfs.
Following several months of above average
precipitation, June precipitation ranged from below average
to average for the Yampa, White, and North Platte River
basins. Precipitation for the month, as measured at the
SNOTEL sites operated by the MRCS, was reported at
approximately 85% of average for the Yampa and White
River basins and 100% of average for the North Platte River
basin. Year-to-date precipitation is reported at 107% of
average for the combined Yampa, White, and North Platte
River basins.
Warm weather continued throughout June, resulting
in increased snowmelt and a decline in snowpack in the
Yampa, White, and North Platte River basins. The snow
water equivalent (SWE) was approximately 77% of average
for the Yampa and White River basins and 45% of average
for the North Platte River basin at the end of June.
Average to above-average runoff for the Yampa,
White, and North Platte River basins is predicted for July.
The latest runoff forecasts from MRCS for the June through
July period are 117% of average for the North Platte River
near Northgate, 122% of average for the Yampa River near
Maybell, 142% of average for the Little Snake River near Lily,
and 97% of average for the White River near Meeker.
All Division 6 stream gage stations are open for the
season and flows at these stations remained above average
at the end of June.
Outlook
Yamcolo Reservoir continued to spill throughout
much of the month and was reported at approximately 98%
of capacity at the end of June. Elkhead Creek Reservoir was
at capacity and spilling at the beginning of the month and
was reported at approximately 97% of capacity at the end of
the month. Fish Creek Reservoir level was reported at
approximately 89% of capacity and climbing on June 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.
Calls were placed on the following streams, which
remained under administration at the end of the month:
Middle Hunt Creek (May 29), Bear River (June 6),
Talamantes Creek (June 13), and West Fish Creek (June
20).
Public Use Impacts
Area reservoirs are open for the season, with good
fishing reported.
Jul-08
YAMPA RIVER AT STEAMBOAT, FLOW BY WATER YEAR
700,000
600,000
~,~
Q
o ~~~
J
LL
> 600,000
Q
J
~ Zoo,ooo
U
100,000
0
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mardi April May June July Aug Sept
~ UIkT (1984) ~ DRY (197 ~ AVG ~ 2008
8