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GUNNISON BASIN <br />Basinwide Conditions Assessment <br />The SWSI value for the month was 2.8. Flow at the <br />gaging station Uncompahgre River near Ridgway was 393 <br />cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 318 cfs. <br />Storage in Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland reservoirs <br />totaled 102% of normal as of the end of July. <br />Outlook <br />It was a very hot and dry July in the Gunnison Basin <br />this year. Grand Junction set a record with 52 consecutive <br />days above 90 degrees. This eclipses the record set in 1901 <br />with 51 consecutive days above 90 degrees. And, the lack <br />of precipitation made it seem even hotter. Even so, the <br />flows in the Gunnison Basin have held up well, despite the <br />weeks of extended heat, due to the high snowpack <br />conditions this winter. <br />The major reservoirs in the basin have held steady <br />as well in July, and it does not look like they will be drawn <br />down much this fall. Now that the summer monsoonal <br />weather patterns have started, the basin is getting afternoon <br />showers. This will boost stream flows and decrease irrigation <br />demands. <br />Administrative/Management Concerns <br />Most stream~systems have continued to flow enough <br />to keep the water rights whole. The Water Commissioners <br />throughout the Gunnison Basin are enjoying the ability to <br />keep the ditches running longer than usual without <br />curtailment. There will be plenty of reservoir water to satisfy <br />needs the rest of the irrigation season, and a large amount of <br />carry-over storage this fall will help next year. It does not <br />appear that there will be a river call on the Gunnison, <br />Uncompahgre, or San Miguel Rivers this season. <br />Public Use Impacts <br />The growing season started late this year in the <br />Gunnison Basin. However, the hot temperatures in July and <br />abundant supplies of water have been producing good crops <br />this year. <br />6 <br />Aug-08 <br />