Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br />, <br /> <br />~Sol. <br /> <br />} <br /> <br />COLORADO <br />WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> <br />FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER: COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES <br />ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST., DENVER, CO 80203 <br />303-866-3581; www.water.state.co.us <br /> <br />SEPTEMBER 2004 <br /> <br />All areas of the state are suffering from the drought that has impacted Colorado for the last 5+ years. Virtually all <br />stream flows continue at well below normal levels, with some approaching 2002 levels. During August the South Platte <br />River was an exception, as the basin received sufficient precipitation during the month to boost stream flows to levels that <br />benefited more than just the most senior diverters. The Arkansas River Basin also had precipitation events that allowed <br />storage to occur in John Martin Reservoir. The rest of the state received below normal precipitation during August. <br />Lack of precipitation and the resulting affect on stream flows are reflected in the drop in SWSI values from last <br />month for all but the South Platte Basin. <br />While individual reservoir storage levels vary significantly, statewide the reservoir storage as of the end of August <br />is about 85% of normal. Those who have access to reservoir storage value that source of water. <br /> <br />The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources <br />Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain-based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the <br />state. It is based on stream flow, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). <br />During the summer period. stream flow is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where <br />reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins <br />for September 1, 2004, and reflect the conditions during the month of August. <br /> <br />Basin <br />South Platte <br />Arkansas <br />Rio Grande <br />Gunnison <br />Colorado <br />YampalWhite <br />San Juan/Dolores <br /> <br />-4 <br />Severe <br />Drought <br /> <br />-3 <br /> <br />-2 <br />Moderate <br />Drought <br /> <br />September 1, 2004 <br />SWSI Value <br />1.1 <br />-2.2 <br />-3.0 <br />-3.3 <br />-3.0 <br />-3.4 <br />-2.9 <br /> <br />-1 <br /> <br />Scale <br />o <br />Near Normal <br />Supply <br /> <br />Change From <br />Previous Month <br />+0.2 <br />-0.5 <br />-0.9 <br />-1.5 <br />-0.1 <br />-1.1 <br />-1.1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />Change From <br />Previous Year <br />+0.7 <br />0.0 <br />+0.2 <br />-0.2 <br />-1.6 <br />-1.1 <br />-0.7 <br /> <br />2 <br />Above Normal <br />Supply <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />4 <br />Abundant <br />Supply <br />