DWR_4151827

• Title: JUNE 1997 SWSI: COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE, SURFACE WATER SUPPLY INDEX
• Year: 1997
• Document Type - Publications and Reports: SWSI Monthly Report

ARKANSAS BASIN . June, 1997
r
Basinwide Conditions Assessment:
The SWSI value of 2.5 indicates that for May the ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN
basin water supplies were above normal. The Natural 5 Surfs«Water SLIP°" Index H"t0.y
Resources Conservation Service reports June 1 snowpack as ,-
162% of normal. Flow at the gaging station Arkansas River - 3- -' F.
near Portland averaged 1,227 cfs, as compared to the long W 1'. ; 1.71_._ : :a.
term average of 1,144 cfs. Storage in Turquoise, Twin Lakes, 2- _ - '"
�.
Pueblo,and John Martin reservoirs totaled 165%of normal as I 1- .; , : I : '` .44.46 - 4 NEN '"""
of the end of May. g ° ,� I- �� II.- /,1., 1 ill Ili
MI,.; i
Flow rates in the Arkansas River at the beginning of c' 1
June are 4,200 cfs at Wellsville, and 4,500 cfs at Portland 1 - '
.2- -
rl
(near Canon City/Florence),with the flow increasing steadily. 0
The river call on the Arkansas as of the beginning'of 3-
June is the Fort Lyon Canal's January 25, 1906 main storage -, ......_
JANBB JAN89 JAN90 JAN94 JAN92 JAN93 JAN94 JAN95 JAN96 JAN97
reservoir right. All major direct diversion canals on the main A�gNTIi/NEAR
stem are now in priority to divert.
Outlook
The typical date of peak runoff on the Arkansas main
stem is the second or third week of June. This year's high ARKANSAS RIVER NR. PORTLAND
snowpack levels may push the peak back closer towards the i FLOW 85 WATER YEAR
end of June. 0.9
0.B
Administrative/Management Concerns
The usual areas of potential flooding are of
management concern. In order not to exceed channel o 0.5
capacity,the Corps of Engineers restricts releases from Pueblo > 0 4
Reservoir to 6,000 cfs, and releases from John Martin s
Reservoir to 3,000 cfs. However,damage can still occur below 10.3
• ■
Pueblo Reservoir, near the Avondale and La Junta areas, due 0.2
to tributary inflows when the Arkansas is already at these
f
high levels. The Arkansas above Pueblo Reservoir has no °
Oct Nov Lew Jen Feb Abrch Apr II May Jun■ July Aug Sept
flood protection and damage can begin to occur in the Canon MONTH
LIE`0
919
" ° DAY t""' 4 AVG X 1997
City area when the river reaches the 6,000 - 7,000 cfs range.
Public Use Impacts
The high flows in the Arkansas River have produced
restrictions on commercial rafting activities on certain reaches. REPRESENTATIVE RESERVOIRS
Flows above 3,200 cfs through the Royal Gorge, and similar 240
AAKANOAS RIVER BASIN
flows at the Pine Creek rapids near Buena Vista, are 220-
considered too dangerous by the commercial rafters. All �00-
major reservoirs continue to have relatively high content
\
which is producing good boating opportunities.
140-":§ /
\ \
ii 120-
hE
gt-V 100-
a80-j40
/\ \
°
John Mort f n Pueblo Turque l ee Torn lours
® Av9. 5/91 Contents ® t'31/97 Contents
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