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BASIN ASSESSMENTS <br /> South Platte <br /> The SWSI value of -.5 is the highest of the seven major basins in <br /> Colorado. The runoff forecast is 89% of normal ranging from 77% for Clear <br /> Creek to 108% for the Big Thompson River basin. Flow for the month of January <br /> at the key index station, South Platte River near Kersey, averaged 721 cfs as <br /> compared to the normal flow of 630 cfs. Groundwater levels in the South <br /> Platte River alluvium declined in 72% of the wells monitored during the period <br /> 1988-1989. The historic rate of decline is 0.2 feet whereas the average rate <br /> of decline over the period 1988-1989 is 1.5 feet; an 800 percent increase. <br /> Soil moisture is classified as being very low. <br /> Arkansas <br /> The runoff forecast is 74% of normal ranging from 69% for the Cucharas <br /> and Huerfano River basins to 85% for the upper Arkansas River basin. Winter <br /> water storage in Pueblo Reservoir and John Martin Reservoir is 15,000 <br /> acre-feet behind the amount stored during this same period one year ago. <br /> Pueblo Reservoir contents were 148,749 acre-feet as of February 1, 1990, as <br /> compared to 187,923 acre-feet in storage on February 1, 1989. Flow for the <br /> month of January at the key index station, Arkansas River at Portland, <br /> averaged 256 cfs as compared to the normal flow of 326 cfs. Soil moisture is <br /> classified as being very low to critically low. <br /> Rio Grande <br /> The SWSI value of -3.6 is the lowest in the state and indicates moderate <br /> to severe drought conditions. Runoff is forecasted to be only 55% of normal <br /> ranging from 46% for the San Antonio River basin to 69% for the Trinchera <br /> Creek drainage. Flow for the month of January at the key index station, Rio <br /> Grande near Del Norte, averaged 106 cfs as compared to the normal flow of 192 <br /> cfs. Groundwater conditions have been steadily declining for two years. Soil <br /> moisture is classified as being very poor to critically low. <br /> Gunnison <br /> Runoff is forecasted to be 64% of average ranging from 48% for the <br /> Uncompaghre River basin to 64% for the Taylor River basin. Flow for the month <br /> of January for the key index station, Gunnison River at Delta, averaged <br /> 443 cfs as compared to the normal flow of 1903 cfs. Flows below Blue Mesa <br /> Reservoir are significantly affected by storage releases which are highly <br /> dependent upon hydroelectric power generation requirements. <br /> Colorado <br /> Runoff is forecasted to be 81% of normal ranging from 76% for the Roaring <br /> Fork River basin to 90% for the upper Colorado River basin. The flow for <br /> January for the key index station, Colorado River near the Colorado-Utah <br /> stateline, averaged 2201 cfs as compared to the normal flow of 3354 cfs. <br /> Yampa/White <br /> The SWSI value had the greatest change from the previous month (-2.9) of <br /> the seven major basins in the state. This negative swing would not be as <br /> great if reservoir storage were considered. Yamcolo and Stagecoach Reservoirs <br />