Laserfiche WebLink
• <br /> SOUTH PLATTE BASIN June, 1997 <br /> i <br /> Basinwide Conditions Assessment: <br /> The SWSI value of 2.6 indicates that for May the SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN <br /> asin water supplies were above normal. Reservoir storage, 5 Surface Water Supply index History <br /> the major component in this basin in computing the SWSI 4_ <br /> value, was 101% of normal as of the end of May. Storage in W 3_ _ �I:. .. <br /> the major plains reservoirs: Julesburg, North Sterling, and i ' <br /> Prewitt, increased by 41,676 acre-feet during May and are at 2-. • M k . ; ,1 .--= <br /> 94%of capacity. Storage in the major upper basin reservoirs: , 1 ..—.....irtf.....—A __ <br /> Cheesman, Eleven Mile, Spinney, and Antero, increased by . 0 - " ( '`�" <br /> 7,741 acre-feet and are at 80% of capacity. The National : I <br /> Resources Conservation Service reports June 1 snowpack as V ' <br /> 182% of normal. The mean daily flow of the South Platte <br /> River at the Kersey gage was 1,181 cfs, as compared to the -3- <br /> long term average of 2,521 cfs. Flow at the -4 -- ... . . ... <br /> JAN88 JAN89 JAN90 JAN91 JAN92 JAN93 JAN94 JAN95 JAN96 JAN97 <br /> Colorado/Nebraska state line averaged 163 cfs, compared to IKk1TH/YEAR <br /> the long term average of 1,061 cfs. <br /> Since the first half of May was warm and not <br /> particularly wet, irrigation demand increased dramatically <br /> resulting in shortages of water for direct flow irrigation along <br /> the mainstem and several of the tributaries. This situation is SOUTH PLATTE RIVER NR. KERSEY <br /> YEAR <br /> not unusual for the time of year prior to the beginning of FLOW sY WATER <br /> 2.9 1 <br /> runoff. Excess Colorado Big Thompson water that could not 2,6 . <br /> be stored was made available by the Northern Colorado Water 2.4 <br /> 2.2 <br /> Conservancy District to meet a portion of the direct flow % 2 <br /> demand within the District boundaries. • 1.9 <br /> Toward the end of the month several rain storms and a 1.6 <br /> the beginning of runoff improved stream flow conditions "- 1.2 . <br /> lamatically, reduced irrigation demand, and allowed the s 1 . <br /> eservoirs on the tributaries to finish filling and plains 1 <br /> 0.9 <br /> reservoirs which had been drawn upon for early season 0.6 - <br /> 0.4 r <br /> irrigation to refill. Additional recharge also occurred along 0.2 • • <br /> the South Platte during the end of May. By the end of May 0 <br /> Oct Nov Oec Jan Fab LArch Apr It IJay June July Aup Soot <br /> there were no direct flow calls on the mainstem downstream k NTH <br /> of Denver or on most of the tributaries. ° "�c,9! DRY C1964, 6 "wG x 1997 <br /> Outlook <br /> Storage and recharge will continue for three to four <br /> weeks in June before it is expected that there will once again REPRESENTATIVE RESERVOIRS <br /> be direct flow calls. If there is significant rain in the latter y20 SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN <br /> half of June the calls could be delayed. With continued 200 <br /> storage and recharge in June it is expected that the water 180 <br /> supply going into the summer will be excellent. i 180 <br /> 140 <br /> Administrative/Management Concerns ' 120 A R <br /> There is a potential for flooding in some tributaries b gt 'ma <br /> due to the high snowpack. This potential will diminish p •0 A <br /> towards the end of June. 3 50 / � <br /> Public Use Impacts 2� / ran\` M <br /> Negotiators from Colorado,Nebraska,Wyoming, and <br /> pl l Ion Horptooth Eleven MI I• Ch..nnn Jackson Barr Lek* <br /> the Department of Interior reached agreement in principle on <br /> the elements of a proposed program to restore and protect the ® ""g 5/31 <br /> Contents ® 5r31/97 contents <br /> habitat of listed endangered species along the Platte River in <br /> :entral Nebraska. This program will serve as the reasonable <br /> and prudent alternative for existing and new water use in the North and South Platte basins in Colorado. <br /> 3 <br />