Gov Lamm Memo 11Feb1981 - Drought Mngmt Plans

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Drought Impact Project Task Groups Assignments 1 . Current and projected water availability a. Determine the geographic subdivisions to be used in data collection and reporting - Perhaps use State engineer's basin boundaries. b. Determine what data elements are necessary - who produces the data, at what intervals, how many days lag time. Initially consider reservoir levels, snow pack, total precipitati'on, soil moisture, wind erosion acreage, streamflows,groundwater levels. c. Establish responsibility for assembling data, analyzing it, and presenting a product which can be used as a drought conditions warning and reporting system, Consider a Palmer Drought Index series for the eastern plains and western slope (or a modified Palmer) and some new index for the mountain zone. Dr. McKee has suggested an index which combines snowpack, reservoir levels and predicted streamflows. d. Determine how to use present status data to make projections. Find innovative ways to handle the question, what will the conditions be in x number of days if we do not receive additional moisture-in the non irrigated sector, on rangelands, streamflows which supply public water systems, fire danger, wind erosion susceptibility, irrigation water deliveries. e. Determine what information can be produced which will benefit the water consumers, who should be the official source for the data elements and who should release the projections information at what intervals. The water consumer is the critical participant in decisions to make the best use of the present supply. His decisions are based on his knowledge of supply and 'demand and an understanding of what actions are being taken by other users. 2. Information and education a. Design an information dissemination network which conveys drought status, current and projected, to water users. Nearreal-time information is needed to enable water users to make the best use of the available supply. An informed public can devise ways to stretch available supplies and implement cooperative ventures. b. Assemble and publish urban and rural water conservation pro- grams information. Create basin wide users groups, hold meetings to inform users of drought status and encourage voluntary water conservation measures, Hold seminars on water conservation topics.