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

SAN JUANIDOLORES BASIN
Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value for the month was 1.6. Storage in
McPhee, Vallecito, and Lemon reservoirs totaled 117% of
normal as of the end of June.
Flows at the Animas River at Durango averaged
3,272 cfs (117% of normal) with a maximum average daily
peak flow of 5,450 cfs on June 3rd. The Dolores River at
Dolores averaged 1,613 cfs (122% of normal) with a
maximum average daily peak flow of 3,040 cfs on June 3rd
The La Plata River at Hesperus averaged 155 cfs (122% of
normal) with a maximum average daily peak flow of 317 cfs
on June 3rd. Precipitation in Durango was 0.24 inches for
June which is below the 30-year average of 0.67 inches. All
the precipitation for the month occurred on June 4t"
Precipitation to date in Durango, for the water year, is 15.57
inches which is above the average of 13.27 inches.
Temperatures were near normal for the month.
At the end of the month Vallecito Reservoir contained
122,300 acre-feet compared to its normal contents of
103,146 acre-feet (119% of normal). McPhee Reservoir was
up to 380,937 acre-feet compared to its normal contents of
320,989 acre-feet (119% of normal), while Lemon Reservoir
was up to 39,720 acre-feet as compared to its normal
content of 33,253 acre-feet (119% of normal).
Outlook
Temperatures were at normal levels for the month.
A cool spell the first week of month kept the peak stream
flows from occurring in June. June is the driest month of the
year for the area and this year was no exception.
AdministrativelManaaementConcerns
The compact period on the La Plata between
Colorado and New Mexico began on February 15t". New
Mexico placed a call starting on April 30t" for half the flow at
the upper index gage up to 80cfs.
Public Use Impacts
The East Fork land slide mentioned in last months
report has finally slowed its movement to about 1-ft per day.
With the monsoon season just ahead local officials are still
concerned that a large rain event in the area could increase
the rate of land slide again.
J u I-08
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MONiH/YEAR
ANIMAS RIVER NR. DURANGO, FLOW BY WATER YEAR
1,000,000 ~
900,000
soo,ooo
700,000
Q
~ 600,000
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500,000
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400,000
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~ 300,000
~ 200,000
100,000
0
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept
~ WET (1973) ~ DRY (2002) ~ AVG ~ 2008
9