SWSIReportJan2004

• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Report
• Date: 1/21/2004
• Description: Presentation
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: Presentation

GUNNISON BASIN

Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SVVSI value of -D.2 indicates that for December
the basin water supplies were near normal. The Natural
Resources ConservatIon Service reports that January 1
snowpack is 105% of normal. Flow at the gaging station
Uncompahgre River near Ridgway was 54 cfs. as compared
to the long-term average of 53 cfs Storage in Taylor Park.
Crawford. and FrUitland reservOirs totaled 103% of normal
as of the end of December.
The month of December has been much bener for
snowfall in the Gunnison Basm. In the first week of January
a major storm dumped a lot of moisture. causing the basin
wide average snow pack to increase from 106 % to 124 % of
normal. The cold weather in December has kept stream
flows at low leYels,

AdmlnistratlyetManaQement Concerns
The major administrative concern at this time is a
possible call at Redlands Canal. This Canal is located on
the Gunnison River Just above the city of Grand Junction
and the confluence with the Colorado River. A call from the
RedJands Canal affects the entire Gunnison River Basin.
Some of the major water users in the basin and the Colorado
River Water Conservation District have purchased a contract
with the Canal to lower their calling amount from 750 cfs to
650 cfs for the winter season. However, It appears like the
flows could fall below 650 cfs. In fact. during cold periods in
Oecember when the river was freezing and water was going
Into ice. the flow dropped below 650 ds for just a few days
At this time, the diversion structure at the Redlands
Canal hasn't been sealed property to divert all of the
available water Consequently. a call will not be honored
until that happens, Canal employees are planning to seal the
diversion structure in January if the weather warms up and
the ice is gone. Since the flows usually steadily decrease
dunng the winter, it is anticipated that there is a high potential
for a call yet this winter season.

Public Use Impacts
Eyeryone is encouraged by the increase in
snowpack percentages. although it is doing nothing for low
flows althis time. The increased snow is also a boon 10 the
recreation industry, and reduces the need to make snow at
the ski areas

Jan-04

--

,.

,
.....-..--.---"'-..::.-..........

.--

1J~1f\oER.f'lRCOMVFlOo'JevM'rEI''\''E;,R

~~

,

JJiXOt- -+- -t.
I
'iZiiXO-
~
~;niXO'
" I
" .
~'3.0XI: I !~--
... "",f---
, 7r,. -
ilQllDl~ ./.__--
;J ~-::::.--
<)3.OXI~.~i i

f--. .~'

I /~
..'
-:,.----j

/

.
--.-.

/

~

o
'"

~

,~

-

~

-

~

-o-1'ET(m>o, -(RI'L1II71'i . ~'.G

-~

~~Tl'.'E~~

.~~

.~,

llJllD__
J
.
~ !CllD-
JoIJOXI.-
,
~
jJllllD'-
"
<=-

-=-

o~

~--

'--
."'v=c..-

~

~

.<2'31-mC:n~

6