SWSIReportMay2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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GUNNISON 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 was 125% of normal. Flow at the gaging station Uncompahgre River near Ridgway was 134 cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 110 cfs. Storage in Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland reservoirs totaled 112% of normal as of the end of April. April was a cooler month than normal, but the Gunnison basin still received enough moisture to keep the snowpack percentages up. The entire Gunnison snowpack is 150% of average as of May 11, 2005. Although the sites didn't pick up substantial precipitation during the month of April, the snow levels remained about the same. This time of year, the average amount at each station starts dropping, and if the cold weather keeps the snow from melting, the percentage of average goes up. Outlook It is still anticipated that all reservoirs will fill except for Taylor Park, which will be within 4 feet of filling. At this time, Paonia, Ridgway and Blue Mesa reservoirs are being drawn down to make room for the anticipated runoff. All the reservoirs on the Grand Mesa are expected to fill. Of special note in this basin is the high percentage of snowpack on the Grand Mesa. The three courses average 188% of average. Obviously, this situation could lead to some substantial flooding on those streams that flow from the Mesa. The worst areas in Division 4 will probably be Surface Creek and Kannah Creek, this situation will be closely monitored as the weather warms up. If the weather warm up suddenly and stays hot, there will be problems basin-wide. Administrative/Manaoement Concerns The irrigation water use picked up in April, although the cool weather and precipitation kept the demand fairly low. In most areas, the supply was enough to keep up with the demand. This will be a good year for irrigators and recreational users, both in river flows and increased reservoir storage. May-05 ....,""'" 1;;' ;< lIj' ~ ", ~ " ., 1< " . ~ JIn.\ll' Ja1.91 .Js>.9l ..IIIr>OO JlIn..01 .lIr>G! JIr>{Q JIn.()I Ja"oC6 """'''''' l..NXM=IAH3RE RIVER tft R100WAY, FLJ:JN BY WATffi YEAR 250,000 i""'"OOO ~ ~ "" -150.lXXJ ~ ~ ~ w ~ 100,000 ~ ~ ~ a 5O,lXXJ /" ~ / / / --- >--- ./' / / = /' ~ o O:tN:J.IDecJanFEbMml~IVayb1e..k.dyAugSeJ:t -e--Vv'ET(1964) -+-AVG *-= --[R((1977) REPPESENTATI'vE~RS 80.000 70,000 ~ 6O,1XlO ... S50.000 . ,,; 8'4O,CXXJ il ~ 3O,l:m ~ ~ ,",000 10,000 o Ta}I<r"" .klg.04I300:l1le;\ts ~ ........ a""""",,,,,,,,,, 6