Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update

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.r COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER: COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES ROOM 818, 1313 SHERMAN ST., DENVER, CO 80203 303-866-3581; www.water.state.co.us/default.htm January 2000 This month's SWSI values, which indicate very low water supply conditions, are a result of low snowpack at the end of December. Well below normal snowpack existed across the state during the month, with an end of December statewide average of 45% of normal. The Rio Grande, Gunnison, and San Juan/Dolores basins had both the lowest SWSI values and the lowest snowpacks. Much of the winter snowpack accumufation season is stilf ahead. Stream flows are still holding at acceptable levels. Reservoir storage is average to above average in most of the reservoirs across the state. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain-based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on snowpack, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period, snowpack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for January 1, 2000, and reflect the conditions during the month of December. Basin South Platte Arkansas Rio Grande Gunnison Colorado Yampa/White San Juan/Dolores January 1, 2000 SWSI Value 0.9 -2.8 -3.7 -3.3 -2.1 -2.5 -3.3 Change From Previous Month +0.1 -0.1 0.0 +0.4 +i.0 +1.0 0.0 Change From Previous Year -0.1 -1.7 -5.2 -2.4 -1.5 +0.9 -2.4 Scale -4 -3 -2 -1 0 Severe Moderate Near Normat Drought Drought Supply 2 3 4 Above Normal Abundant Supply Supply