SWSIReportMay2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RIO GRANDE BASIN Basinwide Conditions Assessment The SWSI value of 2.7 indicates that for April the basin water supplies were above normal. The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that May 1 snowpack is 139% of normal. Flow at the gaging station Rio Grande near Del Norte averaged 1,003 cfs (129% of normal). The Conejos River near Mogote had a mean flow of 460 cfs (143% of normal). Flow to the state line was 163% of normal. Storage in Platoro, Rio Grande, and Santa Maria reservoirs totaled 64% of normal as of the end of April. Stream flow in the upper Rio Grande basin was well above average during the first three weeks of April as warm temperatures created an early runoff from the abundant snowpack. Cooler temperatures during the last week of April dropped runoff flows to below average. . The Valley floor received above average precipitation and temperatures during April. . Outlook Additional snowfall and cool temperatures during the latter part of April increased Natural Resources Conservation Service runoff forecasts to 148% of average on the Rio Grande near Del Norte and 135% for the Conejos near Mogote. These forecasts are the highest since 1995. Saguache Creek, in the northwest part of the San Luis Valley has the lowest forecast at 106% of normal. Sangre de Cristo Creek, on the east side near Fort Garland, has the high forecast at 177% of normal. Administrative/Manaqement Concerns Snowstorms and cold temperatures brought the early snowmelt to a sudden halt. Many ditches had to be shut down or off after only a few days of diversion. However, water officials expect the runoff to be high and prolonged after this early respite. Localized flooding coule be a problem this runoff season. If weather patterns sustain warm temperatures for more than a week, the snowmelt will peak and cause bank-full conditions. Public Use Imoacts Many reservoirs in the upper Rio Grande basin will fill for the first time in several years due to the expected runoff. Low-lying areas near rivers and creeks will be saturated. , ~ w o ;/ > . ~ c z -., ~ c . Q) 1,OOJ,COO !J'. ~ 000,000 ~ l.L.. 000,000 ~ ~ ...J 400,000 => " => '-' :!lO,OOO * "Ii 1~000 m " a . tl (J;l10.COO " ~ => 5 May-05 ~H_ . JorHI7~.J.->.99..1lr"K1JJon.01J!na!.-...mJln.()lJon.OS ~"... FIlO ffi4HE rfl. [B...fImTE. R..ON ~ WA.1ER YEAR UXI,OOO .---' / / j ../ .-------- I / / ..... / A y o Oi tbi ca:: J:r1 Feb Mrd1 ~I Mly ...lne .uy Ptc:I &p. --9-\l\ET(1!1J7) --+--lRY(2OO2) --+--AVG --><--ZlIl5 ~AT1VE~RS ,.,000 ",-000 5,000 o RfoQmJo -., - .~C>4/3)o:mns . 0W>1l6 """""