WATFSummaryNov2002

• Title: Task Force Mtg. Minutes
• Date: 11/25/2002
• Description: Minutes
• Basin: South Platte
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: WATF Meeting Summary

GUNNISON BASIN

Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value of -2,8 indicates that for October
the basin water supplies were well below normal, Flow at the
gaging station Uncompahgre River near Ridgway was 74
cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 88 cfs, Storage
in Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland reservoirs totaled
59% of normal as of the end of October,
The water supply outlook for October in the
Gunnison and San Miguel basins continued to improve,
Many areas reported above average precipitation for
October, with Delta reporting the highest percentage above
normal at 323% (3,07 inches), Others reporting above
average moisture included NOIwood at 188%, and
Cedaredge at 182%, Unfortunately, there were a few areas
reporting below normal precipitation, led by Cochetopa with
only 35%, Gunnison at 66%, and Telluride at 78%, Storage
in the Aspinall Unit (Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal
Reservoirs) finally began to increase beginning October 23'd,

Administrative/Manaaement Concerns
The periodic heavy rains in September caused
several administrative calls to be released or removed, and
many of these calls remained inactive during October, The
Gunnison Tunnel demand was met for the entire month,
partly due to conservation efforts by the Uncompahgre Valley
Water Users Association, Reducing deliveries to 50%
resulted in a significant reduction in demand, Coupled with
increased stream flows, this meant that the Tunnel did not
need to call out users in the Upper Gunnison Basin,

Public Use Imoacts
The widespread October moisture lessened the
likelihood of wildfires, Emergency officials were dreading the
hunting seasons and the prospects of fighting fires caused by
hunters, The rain and snow helped avoid a potentially
deadly fall fire season and provided some desirable tracking
snow for big game,

Nov-02

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