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<br />Association meeting. There are concems that the policy is not addressing needs for the <br />westem states, but more for hurricanes, etc. Governor Owens asked for more flexibility <br />in the policy. <br /> <br />Mike Gillespie. Natural Resource Conservation Service <NRCS) <br />Mr. Gillespie explained that snowpack levels had taken a nosedive since October, and <br />that November's snowpack level ended the month at 85% of average. Snowpack as of <br />December 1, 2002 was about average, but January 1 levels were down to 85% of average <br />and 131 % of last year's snowpack Current statewide snowpack levels, as of January 27th <br />were 75% of average statewide and 124% oflast year, with the lowest average occurring <br />in the Rio Grande Basin at 59% of average. The Rio Grande, the Arkansas and the South <br />Platte (67% of avg) are currently recording the lowest snowpack levels and the Upper <br />Colorado (82% of avg) and Gunnison basins are recording the highest levels. The <br />statewide snowpack has dropped off through January. This is the sixth consecutive year <br />of below average snowpack statewide for the month of January. 1997 was the last good <br />water year in the state. <br /> <br />The current (January 1, 2003) statewide reservoir levels are at 51 % of average and 60% <br />of last year's average. All reservoir levels are well below average statewide with Yampa <br />being the exception at 89% of average. <br /> <br />The Snotel precipitation data readings for higher elevations show that the snowpack has <br />been below average since September 21 st. <br /> <br />The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) is not performing well this year, due to various <br />factors. <br /> <br />The stream flow forecast shows 70-90% statewide and a few basins at 50-70% of <br />average. <br /> <br />Keith VanderHorst. Division of Water Resources. Water Supplv Conditions Update <br />SWSI values dropped in December reflecting the poor snowpack accumulation during the <br />month. Stream flows continue to be significantly below normal, but flows are typically <br />low during this time of year. Stream flow forecasts for this year are also looking to be <br />below normal due to the low snowpacks. <br /> <br />South Platte Basin <br />SWSI values (-2.7) for December indicate below normal water supplies. Reservoir <br />storage was 59% of average as of the end of December. Storage levels in the major <br />plains reservoirs: Julesberg, North Sterling, and Prewitt are at 32% of capacity. <br />Cumulative storage in the major upper-basin reservoirs of Cheesman, Eleven Mile, <br />Spinney, and Antero is at 47% of capacity. <br /> <br />The State Engineers Office expects storage calls to continue into the spring until a direct <br />flow call occurs, unless there is significant spring precipitation averting initial irrigation <br />calls. <br />