WSP02853

• File Number: 8056
• Description: Drought Preparedness
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 12/1/2000
• Author: Colo Div Water Resou
• Title: Colorado Water Supply Conditions Update - December 2000 through February 2002
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Basinwide Conditions Assessment
The SWSI value of 3.0 indicates that for May the
basin water supplies were above normal. The Natural
Resources Conservation Service reports that. June 1
snowpack is 57% of normal. Flow at the gaging station Rio
Grande near Del Norte averaged 4250 cfs (170% of normal),
The Conejos River near Mogote had a mean flow of 1280 cfs
(115% of normal),
Precipitation in Alamosa was a generous 1,09 inches
during the month, 0.45 inches above normal. Temperatures
were generally well above normal during May, which promoted
the high runoff, Stream flow was well above average
throughout the basin during May, The Rio Grande near Del
Norte gaging station had the 2nd highest volume of flow for the
month of May in the last 35 years, And the La Garita and
Camero Creek peak flows were the highest in recent memory,

Outlook
NRCS stream flow forecasts are predicting April -
September runoff volumes from 96 to 130% of average for
the Division's larger drainages. Based on the unusually high
volumes seen in May, these predictions seem to be valid,
Although most streams had already reached peak flow by the
end of the month, administrators expect a prolonged runoff,

Administrative/Manaaement Concerns
Last year's drought and extreme use of the Valley's
aquifers has created a "hole" in the system that is requiring a
great deal of water to fill. A surprisingly large portion of the
runoff is recharging this void, Thus, return flows to the system
are much lower than normally expected,
Curtailment of available native flows is necessary this
year to meet Colorado's delivery requirement under the Rio
Grande Compact. Currently, 25% of the indexed native flows
on the Rio Grande and Conejos are being passed through the
system to the state line,

Public Use Impacts
The pleasant weather conditions and abundant water
supplies have been a boon to the local farmers and ranchers,

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