SWSIReportFeb2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER: COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES ROOM Sia. iJiJ SHERMAN ST., DENVER. CO 80203 303-866-3581: www.water.state.co.us FEB 2004 The SWSI valuas for this month range from a high of +0.4 In the Rio Grande Basin to a low of -2.1 in the Colorado Basin. The snowpack is average to slightly above average In the southwestern basins (Gunnison, San Juan/Dolores, Rio Grande). However. the South Plalte Basin, which encompasses the most populOUS urban areas in Colorado, is well below average at only 65% of normal. The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that this is the fourth consecutive year with February 1 snowpack readings at or below this level in the South Plalte Basin and that for the state, 2004 marks the seventh consecutive year of below average snowpack accumulations on February 1. The statewide snowpack is 88% of average for February 1, 2004. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. 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 a\l basins exceptlhe 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 February 1, 2004, and reflect the conditions during the monlh of January. Feb t, 2004 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Plalte - 1.4 -0.6 +1.6 Arkansas -1.9 -0.1 +0.1 Rio Grande +0.4 0.0 +2.4 Gunnison -0,8 -0.6 +1.1 Colorado -2.1 -1.0 -0.3 YampalWhite -1.3 -2.2 +0.8 San JuanJDolores +0.2 -0.4 +2.5 Scale -4 -3 -2 -1 0 2 3 4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply I '3 h