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<br />Marv Halstead. DOW (Wildlife) <br />Ms. Halstead stated all was good at this time, and that they will continue to be watchful of the <br />snowpack conditions. <br /> <br />Snowpack, SWSI, Reservoir Storage Summary <br /> <br />Mike Gillespie. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) <br />Mr. Gillespie stated that this January 1 snowpack average was slightly above last year for the <br />same date, and said the San Juan's have the highest snowpack for today. We are at 128% of <br />average statewide. Mr. Gillespie said the northwest part of the state is around average, and the <br />South Platte basin is the lowest. He also commented that the snowpack is above-average for the <br />month and further said if it would stop snowing now, we would still be above average for the <br />month. <br /> <br />Mr. Gillespie reported that our precipitation as of January 1, 2005 is 99% of average statewide, <br />and the precipitation for this water year (Oct. 1 to Jan. 1) is similar to our snowpack figures. The <br />southwest basin is doing much better than anyone else and tapering off to slightly above average <br />up north. <br /> <br />Mr. Gillespie said that our reservoir storage is 82% of average statewide. Some reservoirs are <br />severely below average right now. The Rio Grande is at 45% and the Arkansas is down to 62%. <br />He said that the southern part of the state would definitely benefit from a good runoff season this <br />year. Mr. Gillespie also commented that reservoir storage has improved gradually since 2002 <br />around the state. <br /> <br />Mr. Gillespie stated that for January 1, we have positive SWSI values in the southwest basins, <br />and the only negatives are in the northwest corner, in the Y ampa- White. He said he sees no real <br />drought problems jumping out at us at this time. <br /> <br />Mr. Gillespie reported the streamflow forecast of January 1 showed the best outlook to be 110- <br />130% of average in southern Colorado and above average in some southern basins like the San <br />Juan and Rio Grande. He said we have had below average runoff across the Colorado and <br />Yampa/White and parts of the South Platte Basin; however, next month he expects the southern <br />basins to improve quite a bit with a slight improvement up north. <br /> <br />Mr. Gillespie also added that they will be studying the differences between the old and new <br />SWSI in the future. <br /> <br />Colorado Water Supply Report <br /> <br />Jack Bvers. Deputv Director. Division of Water Resources <br />Mr. Byers commented that he believes that we have good reservoir storage in the South Platte <br />now; and said some smaller reservoirs on the plains have a greater water storage now then they <br />nonnally do this time of year. He stated the total reservoir storage is down but better than last <br />year. Mr. Byers explained we would just have to wait and see what happens, because last March <br />took a chuck out of our snowpack. He also commented that the drought is not over. <br />