SWSIReportJune2005

• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update
• Date: 6/8/2005
• Description: Presentation
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: Presentation

SAN JUAN/DOLORES BASIN

Jun-OS

Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value of 3,2 indicates that for May the
basin water supplies were above normal. The Natural
Resources Conservation Service reports that June 1
snowpack is 121 % of normal. Flow at the gaging station
Animas River near Durango was 3,917 cfs, as compared to
the long-term average of 2,178 cfs. Storage in McPhee,
Vallecito, and Lemon reservoirs totaled 107% of normal as
of the end of May,
The water supply and runoff followed predictions
closely during May, The precipitation in Southwestern
Coiorado dropped off after the first week and left the
remaining portion of the month with an increase in
temperatures and resulting runoff, The total precipitation in
Durango was nearly average at 1,18 inches leaving the
yeariy total at 142% average or 17,7 inches accumulated,
Flows increased in the rivers until May 24-26 when
they topped out. Record high temperatures were set in
Durango on May 20 and 21 and low temperatures were SO
above normal. The Animas reached a daily flow peak of
8,030, while the Dolores recorded a high daily flow of 4,890
and the La Plata River reached 630 cfs during this time, The
San Juan River also peaked near S,OOO cfs while the Rio
Blanco reached flows up to 3,000 cfs, The inflow to Navajo
Reservoir was over 10,000 cfs for several days,
Reservoirs began to top out as they filled back in the
vacancies created earlier in anticipation of the runoff, By the
end of the month Lemon and Vallecito Reservoirs were 93%
of average, McPhee was at 119% of average and very close
to full.
Early pasture and vegetative growth was excellent
and there appeared to be a good hay crop early

Outlook
A cool spell at the end of the month slowed the runoff
down. The flows observed were the highest since 1980 and
led to minor flooding in low-lying areas. There is a prospect
of another rise in the river during June from the remaining
snow cover at the high elevations.

Public Use Impacts
River recreation,
McPhee, was proceeding
white water experiences.

including the Dolores below
with excellent opportunities for

c '
~

w
3
<
> 0
~
o
~
"

>
"
o

~ EOJ,OCO
~
~
<
~ 6:X),(XD
g
~
~ 400,(0)
::
~
a 200,(0)

9

~"-

,

,

4
JM..93 Jm.<;fJ Jan.OO Ja'I.\B Jan.<<J .la'Hll Jao1.(l2 Ja1..OO Ja'l.{l4 Ja1..05

~;-

PNM'>S ffi..ffi. f\R [l"RIIN3J, FLON BY ViAlER YEPR

1,OOJ,COO---

o
O:1rb.i[kJa1FebMrd1ApiIM?J..kEe..uy~SEf.t

-e-\r'\ET(t973)

__IR( (2002)

~AVG

*"=

REPRESENT ATI'vE RESERVOIRS

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

McPt1ee

Valleeito

Lemon

.Avg, 05131 Contents

.05l31105ConIenls