Select Water Storage Information and Flow Conditions ‎(3)‎

• File Number: 8461.450
• Description: EAC/RCC Meetings
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 4/18/2006
• Author: Ted Kowalski
• Title: Select Water Storage Information and Flow Conditions
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Correspondence

STATE OF COLORADO
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us
Bill Owens
To: Reservoir Coordinating Committee Members c°°ern°r
' Russell George
From: Ted Kowalski, Proj ect Manager E"e`utr°e Dire`t°r
Rod Kuharich
Date: April 18, 2006 CWCB Director
Dan McAuliffe
Subject: Summary of Select Water Storage Information and Flow Conditions Deputy Director
for the South Platte River Basin
I. INTRODUCTION
Colorado is pleased to provide the following information in support of the Reservoir Coordinating
Committee (RCC) for the three State Platte River Cooperative Agreement. In preparing the
information I focused my efforts on the South Platte River and selected data, which I believe is the
most relevant for the RCC. I have also included a number of Internet Sites, which people can access
for additional information and up-to-date information over the next several months.
II. WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK
Stream Flow
I have attached several graphs of historic and current (March 2006) flow information for the South
Platte River at Julesburg. The mean daily flow for the South Platte at Julesburg for March 2006 and
for the period of record (1902-2004) was 27 cubic feet per second (cfs) and 545 cfs, respectively (see
Figures 1).
Figure 1 shows South Platte mean monthly flows at Julesburg. I have included a composite of the
minimum and mean monthly flows for the period of record 1902-2004 to demonstrate the wide
range of flows that can be expected. The effect of one of the worst droughts in recent history
continues to be reflected in the water year 2004-05 flow rates.
Figure 7 shows predicted stream flow in Colorado as of April l, 2005. Of course, the stream flows
could be slightly higher given the recent precipitation that the South Platte River basin experienced.
The historic low South Platte flows and less than average snow pack conditions are reflected in the
stream flow forecast, which is between 70 and 89 percent of average. It is worth noting that the
North Platte forecasted flows are slightly worse, ranging from 50 to 89 percent of average. Figure 9
provides more detailed stream flow projection for select South Platte tributaries.
Flood Protection • Water Supply Plaiuling and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protecdon • Conservation and Drought Plaruning