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GUNNISON BASIN <br /> Basinwide Conditions Assessment: <br /> The SWSI value of -2.6 indicates that the current SURFACE WATER SUPPLY INDEX <br /> conditions place the basin is in a moderate drought stage. 5 0""n'eon Over Sea in <br /> Drought conditions exist in the southern section of the Grand 4- <br /> Mesa and in the upper reaches of the Uncompaghre drainage. ,.. _ - L' <br /> Water District 40 reports that reservoir storage is only 14% ' ; .7 <br /> of capacity as compared to the seasonal historic level of 40%. 2- . .-' I <br /> Although Blue Mesa Reservoir is storing approximately 105% ; 1- ` I.: <br /> _ <br /> of normal, reservoir storage throughout the rest of the basin o F- it <br /> has been significantly diminished. The groundwater table - _ 1 on ogi in', <br /> has been lowered resulting in diminished flow of natural ?; `,on <br /> '!• <br /> springs. Cumulative flow at the key gaging station, n -x- <br /> Uncompaghre River near Ridgway, is approximately 35% -3- <br /> below normal for the water year but above the minimum ,. ..... -.�... <br /> °Yo �"" ''""' ' J""" JAN.s JAMS '""°` �"" ''A`�° ''""°'flow recorded in 1977. Precipitation for the month was 84 <br /> iL TW YEAR <br /> of normal. Soil moisture conditions have become critically <br /> low as evidenced in the negative values computed for the <br /> basin by the Palmer Drought Index. <br /> Outlook: UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER NR. RIDGWAY <br /> Available water supplies will remain short throughout 200 F`'O1t EN WAT20 <br /> most of the basin. Demands for storage releases from ..c. <br /> Ridgway Reservoir remains relatively high to satisfy the needs ;� <br /> of the Uncompaghre Valley Water Users Association. 14 <br /> Irrigation water demand has dropped significantly. I ;30 - - <br /> 120 —r <br /> 11D <br /> Administrative/Management Concerns: '. <br /> Senior water rights have sporadically dried up the <br /> Uncompaghre River above Ridgway Reservoir. Streamflow `° / <br /> records reveal that the last time the Uncompaghre River <br /> didn't flow continuously was in the severe drought of 1977. r10 ...._... <br /> Water District 40 (southside of the Grand Mesa) continues to -- <br /> Oct NorDectn No Ap D Aron April e y .Iv+e July Aug St <br /> be under extremely tight administration. <br /> D HIGI(1994) • Uw(1977) o MG • 1990 <br /> Public Use Impacts: <br /> Water-based recreation has been sustained at Blue <br /> Mesa Reservoir and in the Gunnison River below the reservoir. <br /> Gunnison River Basin Reservoir Supplies Gunnison River Basin Reservoir Supplies <br /> 700 - 9D <br /> r \\,, p / �K/\/\/, <br /> z 70 <br /> }i 990- <br /> i n 400- ^... 90 <br /> 1.1 :::!::. \ \!, 4 <br /> :. 390- '°-el <br /> ////\\ <br /> i 26°- i m,////^\ <br /> 2D <br /> 100- <br /> 10 <br /> 0 r V .. ,,,,,x1 <br /> Mammies D �� 4 - <br /> -_ _' <br /> Tay for Marx Crawford Prul t Wei <br /> ® Avg. V 31 Contents ® V 31/90 Conte wits <br /> ® Awp. //31 Oonttnta ® V 3 V 90 Contents <br /> 6 <br />