SWSIReportJuly2004

• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Report
• Date: 7/27/2004
• Description: Presentation
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: Presentation

SAN JUAN/DOLORES BASIN

Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value of -1.4 indicates that for June the
basin water supplies were below normal Flow at the gaging
station Animas River near Durango was 1.919 cfs. as
compared to the long-term average of 2,522 cfs_ Storage in
McPhee, Valleclto, and Lemon reservoirs totaled 98% of
normal as of the end of June.
The month of June behaved typically for this time of
year. The precipitation figures in the area are very low. but
the few days with measurable precipitation at the end of the
month in Durango were actually higher than normal and the
total 069 inch added to the yearly total to make 158 inches
to date, or 112% of average. This precipitation was not
experienced in the full amount everywhere and left the area
with little relief from otherwise dry condItions.
Rivers peaked during the month for the last time
around the 8lh This flow on the Animas River, 3590 cfs, was
not as high as last year. But, in general, the sustained runoff
was much higher than last year's totals.

Reservoirs were able to capture the excess water as
much as possible. Short flushes were made to clear debris
and define the channels below Lemon Reservoir and
Vallecito Reservoir. Lemon Reservoir was not quite able to
fill. The remaining amount at Ihe end of the month stlll
exceeded the historical average. McPhee Reservoir ended
the month at 93% of normal with 318,000 acre-feet. NavajO
Reservoir inflow predictions were modified downward 75.000
acre-feet 10 550.000 for Ihe runoff period as of early July_
This represents 69% river supply. The Dolores Project was
running under a 61% supply expectation.
High temperatures were near the normal 810 In
Durango. but the lows were well above normal at about 50F
higher on average. Durango did not experience a freeze in
June.

Outlook
Expectations are for continued dry weather. Spring
flows are diminishing because of poor recharge the past few
years_ If this contmues, Ihe relief fell by increased storage will
be reduced, as reservOirs will be drawn down significantly
during the irrigation season The early snowmelt along With
the dry weather has hurt crop growth. However, the growth
from May was excellent and hay production appeared to be
excellent as early cuttmgs were made in many areas

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