Summary of Water Storage and Flow Conditions

• File Number: 8461.450
• Description: EAC/RCC
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 4/19/2005
• Author: Ted Kowalski, Carolyn Fritz
• Title: Summary of Water Storage and Flow Conditions
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Correspondence

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STATE OF COLORADO
Colorado Water Cdnservation Board
Department of Natural
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us
To: Reservoir
Committee Members
From: Ted Kowalski? Acting Platte River Coordinator,
Carolyn Fritz, Water Resource Specialist,
Date: Apri119,
Subject: Summary of elect Water Storage Information and Flow Conditions
for the South latte River Basin
1. INTRODUCTION
Bill Owms
Governor
Russell George
Executive Director
Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director
Dan McAuliffe
DeputyDirector
Colorado is pleased to provid the following information in support of the Reservoir Coordinating
Committee (RCC) for the thr e State Platte River Cooperative Agreement. Tn preparing the
information we focused our e forts on the South Platte River and selected data, which we believe is
the most relevant for the RC . We have also included a number of Internet Sites, which people can
access for additional informa ion and up-to-date information over the next several months.
II. WATER SUPPLY
Stream Flow
We have attached several gra hs of historic and current (March 2005) flow information for the
South Platte River at Julesbur . The mean daily flow for the South Platte at Julesburg for March
2005 and for the period of rec rd (1902-2002) was 24 cubic feet per second (cfs) and 550 cfs,
respectively (see Figures 1 an2).
Figure 2 shows South Platte ean monthly flows at Julesburg. We have included a composite of the
minimum and mean monthly ows for the period of record 1902-2002 to demonstrate the wide
range of flows that can be exp cted. The effect of one of the worst droughts in recent history
continues to be reflected in th water year 2004-05 flow rates.
Figure 7 shows predicted stre flow in Colorado as of April 1, 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 ows 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 e slightly worse, ranging from 50 to 89 percent of average. Figure 9
provides more detailed stream flow projection for select South I'latte tributaries.
Flood Protecti • Water Supply Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection
Wat r Supply Protection • Conservation and Drought Planning