WATFSummaryFeb2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Reservoir Capacity Februarv 13. 2003 Level Pueblo John Martin Jackson Lake North Sterling 358,000 af 233,000 af 35,000 af 75,000 af 104,000 af 36,000 af 25,000 af 23,000 af Keith VanderHorst. Division of Water Resources. Water Supply Conditions Update Mr. VanderHorst reported that the SWSl values had dropped in January and February and that what we are seeing is probably not taking into consideration any historical conditions. He mentioned that because the soil moisture is currently so low, that soils will more than likely soak-up much of the moisture this spring. Mr. VanderHorst continued to explain that "storage calls" were continuing in the South Platte Basin and that reservoirs will continue to call until the beginning ofthe irrigation season. He mentioned that users in the Arkansas Basin may experience difficulties finding replacement water. Finally, Mr. VanderHorst said that there is substantial groundwater pumping occurring in the Rio Grande Basin. South Platte Basin SWSl values (-3.0) for January. Reservoir storage was 56% of normal as ofthe end of January. Storage levels in the major plains reservoirs: Julesberg, North Sterling, and Prewitt are at 39% of capacity. Cumulative storage in the major upper-basin reservoirs of Cheesman, Eleven Mile, Spinney, and Antero is at 45% of capacity. Arkansas Basin SWSl values (-2.0) indicate that basin water supplies were below normal for January, although the SWSl may be overstating the actual conditions in this Basin. Snowpack on February 1, 2003 was 68% of normal. Storage in Turquoise, Twin Lakes, Pueblo, and John Martin reservoirs totaled 43% of normal at the end ofJanuary. Rio Grande Basin SWSl values (-2.0) indicate that basin water supplies were below normal in January, although the SWSl may be overstating the actual conditions in this Basin. Snowpack levels on February 1,2003 were 60% of normal. Storage in Platoro, Rio Grande, and Santa Maria reservoirs totaled 90% of normal at the end of January. Gunnison Basin The SWSl values (-1.9) indicate that January basin water supplies for the Gunnison Basin were below normal, although the SWSl may be overstating the actual conditions in this Basin. February 1, 2003 snowpack was 74% of normal. Storage in Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland reservoirs totaled 61 % of normal as of the end of January.