Summary of Water Storage and Flow Conditions

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-2- Reservoir Storage A summary of the status of select reservoir storage and reservoir capacity is provided in Figure 1. While the precipitation in the South Platte River basin remained below averag the wet summer and fall in 2004 (which reduced water demands) have improved most oi reservoir levels. Figure 3 shows reservoir storage for Colorado with the overall South P; estimated at 100 percent of average and 120 percent of last year. Figure 4 shows a little for select reservoirs below Kersey (Empire, Riverside, Jackson, Prewitt, North Sterling, With the recent April storm, the South F'latte Reservoirs, below Kersey, may all fill and ? Snow Pack Statewide snow pack for Colorado as of'April 2004 is shown in Figure 5. Overall snow Colorado is 107 percent of average with. the western portion of the South Platte basin at percent of average. The unusual precipi.tation that oceurred in California, Arizona and T which continued on to provide above average precipitation in the Southwestern basins o are reflected in the Gunnison, Rio Grani3e, San Juan, Animas, La Plata, and Southern Ai basins. Figure 6 is a statewide time series of snow pack for Colorado. Of course, many the above-average precipitation will signal an end to the multi-year drought, but it may i anomaly "wet year" amidst a series of dry years in a more prolonged dronght. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWS:0 is an indicator of mountain-based water suppl developed by the Natural Resource Con.servation Office and the Colorado State Engine, The SWSI is based on snow pack, reservoir storage, and precipitation for November tlu During the winter, snow pack is given t]he most emphasis, except on the South Platte wl storage is given the most weight. Durir.ig the summer actual stream flow conditions bq replace snow pack. ;this year, the atte basin nore detail ulesburg). pack for 70-89 evada, ' Colorado, zansas River hope that nlv be an conditions s Office. ugh April. .re reservoir is to The SWSI for Colorado as of April 1, 2004 is shown in Figure 8. The SWSI for the South Platte basin is -.4 indicating near normal conditions. Last year at this time, the SWSI for the South Platte basin was -1.7, which indicated moderate drought conditions. III. SUIVIlVIARY The wet summer and fall of 2004 has hi.-lped the South Platte get though seven years of average snow pack. Fortunately, 2004 appears to be shaping up to be above average fol snow pack. Unfortunately, the South Platte basin remains slightly below average. Lonj forecasts have suggested a cloudy, cool spring, and an average season of summer monsi These weather conditions and releases !Crom storage may help some, but expect lower tt flows for the spring and summer unless, we see a significant shift in weather conditions. )elow statewide rains. average Flood Protection • Water F'roject Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection Water Supply Protection • Conseroation Planning