Summary of Select Water Storage and Flow Conditions (6)

Home Browse Search

Reservoir Storage -? A summary of the status of select reservoir storage and reservoir capacity is provided in Figure 1. Generally, these major South Platte reservoirs are at or near allowable storage capacity. Figure 5 shows reservoir storage for Colorado with the South Platte basin estimated at 89 percent of average. Snow Pack State wide snow pack for Colorado as of Apri12001 is shown in Figure 6. Overall snow pack for Colorado is 87 percent of average. Specifically, for the South Platte basin snow pack is down and is reported at 70 to 90 percent of average (except the Cache la Poudre which is much below average). Figure 7 shows the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) in inches for the South Platte basin. As of April 16 the SWE for the South Platte basin was approximately 12 inches, which is 86 percent of average. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSn is an indicator of mountain-based water supply conditions developed by the Natural Resource Conservation Office and the Colorado State Engineers Office. The SWSI is based on snow pack, reservoir storage, and precipitation for November through April. During the winter, snow pack is given the most emphasis, except on the South Platte where reservoir storage is given the most weight. During the summer actual stream flow conditions begins to replace snow pack. The SWSI for Colorado as of March 1, 2001 is shown in Figure 8. The SWSI for the South Platte basin is -1.0, indicating a slightly below average water supply. III. StJMMARY As of Apri12001 water supplies in the South Platte basin appear to be shaping up for a below average to average water year. Almost all water related indicies are below average. However, two recent storms in the South Platte watershed should provide additional snow pack and boost the SWE. As always precipitation and temperature in the spring and summer will have a significant impact on the rate of the snow pack melt, and the actual quantity of our water supplies. Monitoring of these factors is important throughout the summer and fall to document changes in current projections. Finally, some long-term forecasts indicate a normal summer with monsoonal conditions a.rriving in July. If this is the case it will ease reservoir demands as opposed to last year which had little moonsonal rains casing significant draw down of plains reservoirs. 2