SWSIReportSept2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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YAMPAlWHITE BASIN Basinwide Conditions Assessment The SWSI value of -0.4 indicates that for August the basin water supplies were near normal. Flow at the gaging station Yampa River at Steamboat was estimated at 107 cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 152 cfs. While not as dry as July, August brought below average precipitation across the basin. Precipitation, as recorded at the SNOTEL sites operated by. the NRCS, totaled 83% of average for August and 94% of average for the water year. Following the dry July. river flows dropped below normal level on the majority of rivers and streams in the White, Yampa. and North Platte river basins in August. The two exceptions to this flow situation were the Elk River, a tributary to the Yampa, and the Yampa River near Craig. Both of these stations reported above average flows for most of August. The above average flows at the Craig gage were due in part to releases from Elkhead Reservoir in connection with construction activities at the dam site. Outlook The September forecast predicts temperatures and precipitation for the basins. demands should begin to decrease as cooler temperatures mark an end to the growing season, average Irrigation nighttime Administrative/Manaaement Concerns The low flaws in the. Yampa. River .at the Maybell gage are approaching "tlie threshold where releases may be made by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the endangered fish species in the critical habitat area below Craig, Coiorado. Such releases may require regulation of diversions on the lower Yampa drainage depending on the demands of water rights for native flow. Public Use Impacts Flows in the rivers and streams are below normal in most of the basin resulting in minimal boating activity. Reservoir levels remain normal for most recreational uses. 8 Sep-05 ~~ , ~ . o . > . ~ z -., ~ a , , _........J.MXl.1or>41_'-"OS~.-,.Ql ~,- Y!>M'A RIVER AT ~T. R.ON rt( WAlER YEAR ""0CIl /' l-- . . / / / / !/ /' OXl.OCIl . ~""0CIl ~ g400,cxx> ~ ~:m.COO S ~:m,coo a l00,COO o O:t/'bJDecJan RibPwDmApiMly..k.neJUy,4u,JSep: ___1M;T(1964) --mY(1977) ~AVG ....."'"