SWSIReportSept2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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GUNNISON BASIN Basinwide Conditions Assessment The SWSI value of -3.3 indicates that for August the basin water supplies were well below normal. Flow at the gaging station Uncompahgre River near Ridgway was 105 cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 167 cfs. Storage in Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland reservoirs totaled 86% of normal as of the end of August. August is normally a wetter month for the Gunnison basin. The monsoonal flows from the southwest usually bring significant moisture to the region in the form of afternoon thundershowers. However, it just didn't in happen in 2004. The National Weather Service reported that the precipitation in Grand Junction during June, July, and August was only 0.38 inches, a mere 20% of normal. This set a new record for the second driest summer since the 0.32 inches measured in 1900. The previous record for second driest summer was in 2003. As a result of the lack of precipitation, the flows in the rivers have drastically declined throughout the summer. Water Commissioners in the upper Gunnison River basin are reporting low flows that are equivalent to those seen in 2002. It is clear that the multi-year drought is having a cumulative effect on the groundwater systems and subsequent stream flows. Outlook A lot of reservoir storage water was used in August. The users are thankful it's there to use, but like to have some left to carry over into the next year. There may not much left at the end of the irrigation season, making it harder to fill next year. Administrative/Manaoement Concerns The CWCB again placed a call on the Slate River with their 23 cfs water right. This called out numerous augmentation plans in the Crested Butte area. To satisfy augmentation needs, the Upper Gunnison River Water Conversancy District applied for and received an emergency Substitute Supply Plan to release water from Meridian Lake. A call was placed by the Highline Canal on the San Miguel River near Nucla, initiating administration of the entire drainage. The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association did not place a call from the M&D Canal or the Gunnison Tunnel in August, electing instead to use their storage in Ridgway and Blue Mesa Reservoirs. Public Use ImDacts For the farmers and ranchers that put up hay in the Gunnison Basin, this has been a great summer. Most had enough water to fully irrigate their crops, and the dry weather in August gave them dry conditions to bail the hay without getting it rained on. Some say it is the best crop they have ever had. On a bright note, on September 4 and 5, an early fall storm dumped up to an inch over the entire basin, more rainfall than the area had received throughout the whole summer. Sep-04 , ..."""" w ' " ~ liS' c ~ ., ~ c . . . .-.v;J1n.Q5 Jr.m_.-.a..lrlalJ..01 JIn(l2.-.mJlrl.Ol -,- l...N'Xf.PAtf:; RIVER toR r<<:DNAY, RON BY WATER 'YEAR 2!il."'" v --- / / / ~ .- / r/'" I p --- 0200.(0) . 'T ~ 0( ~15),00J o ~ ~ w i;:100.cm :l " " G 00.(0) o O::tfbtOec....,FmM'l'ct1Api~.ln.uyhJJ~ -e-WET(1!l94) __CRY (1977) ~AVG -*-"'" ~ATt\lERE.SERvORS 1<X,<XX> "'<XX> 1Xl,<XX> 'S 70,(0) ~ ~ III 60,000 g S "'.<XX> m . 4O.<XX> D . 5 3J,00J 2O.<XX> 10,000 o T*_ """""" """"" .A'.g.6'31 Ccrtents m&'31J04Ca119'is 6