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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE aOM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER: COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST., DENVER, CO 80203 303-866-3581: water.state.co.us May 2000 As warmer temperatures and below-average precipitation pervaded this April, the statewide average snowpack decreased from 90% of normal to 69% of normal during April. Water supplies are at near normal to above normal le'vels in the South Platte, the Arkansas, and the Colorado river basins due to maintained or increased storage and snowpack. The Yampa/White Basin joined the Rio Grande. Gunnison, and San Juan/Dolores basins in their below normal water supplies, primarily attributable to low snowpack. Streamfiows statewide appear to be peaking earlier than usual. Fortunately, reservoir storage is average to above average in most of the reservoirs across the state. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.DA Natural Resources Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain-based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on snowpack, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period, snowpack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for May 1, 2000, and refiect the conditions during the month of April. May 1, 2000 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +1.5 -0.5 -0.9 Arkansas -0.9 -0.6 -2.0 Rio Grande -2.4 -1.0 -3.6 . Gunnison -2.1 -1.8 -3.2 Colorado -0.5 -0.2 -1.5 Yampa/White -2.2 -1.6 -1.9 San Juan/Dolores -2.1 -0.7 -2.5 Scale -4 -3 -2 -1 0 2 3 4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply .