BOARD00109 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

GUNNISON BASIN Basinwide Conditions Assessment The SWSI value of -1.4 indicates that for February the basin water supplies were below normal. The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that March 1 snowpack is 85% of normal. Flow at the gaging station Uncompahgre River near Ridgway was 42 cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 45 cfs, Storage in Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland reservoirs totaled 61 % of normal as of the end of February. February brought a long-overdue respite to the dry climate pattern in the Gunnison and San Miguel Basins, as most areas finally reported above-average precipitation for the month. The last week of the month saw three successive storms cross the region. During that week, the higher elevations of the Grand Mesa and San Juan Mountains received between three and five feet of snow. Monthly total snowfall was 41.0 inches at Crested Butte, 16.6 inches at Glade Park, 12,7 inches at Gunnison and 22.3 inches at Norwood, The San Miguel Basin snowpack is at 86 percent of normal. Precipitation totals were below average for the south- central portion of the Gunnison Basin, as Lake City and Cochetopa Creek received only 52 and 88 percent of their monthly normal, respectively. Other areas were more fortunate, as Taylor Park, Norwood and Ridgway picked up 166, 199 and 204 percent of normal. Administrative/Manaqement Concerns The Division 4 office began sending out letters to potentially affected subdivisions, warning them that their domestic water suppiy was insufficient to protect them in the event of a Gunnison Tunnel and/or local irrigation call. The letters urged homeowners to locate secure sources of replacement water to allow continued use of out-of-priority wells. Fortunately, heavy snows late in the month reduced the threat of an early April call, but unless the wet trend continues, summer shortages are likely to return, Public Use Imoacts The late February snowfall was a boon to local outdoor enthusiasts. Telluride Ski Resort reported measurable snowfall on 18 of the 28 days, resulting in excellent skiing conditions and a boost to the local economy. t Mar-03 ~ ...."""" " ' ~ ~' .. ~' ~ ., . . ....a5 ..-.al Jon.i7 Jtn.lII .-,..go Jor1.al .-..01 JIn02 Ja't(D' """'"... ~ RI\IBl m. R1OO\o\1AY, FLDN BY WATER YEAR 35,000 ~ooo " . ~25.lXXl " < g 20,(0) .,. ~1S.lXXl g i 10,00:1 a 5,000 o Qi ... ""' "'" """ .... .... -a-lNET (1984) --CRV(1977) __AVG "*-2OOl REPRESENTATIVE~RS 70.000 ",000 'ii SO,<XlO ~ . u :40,<XXl ~ . g "'~ooo ~ :32O,0Cl0 10,00) o T.,oa_ .A-.g.02I28Catert;; """"" ~ ."""""'emu 6