DWR_4151832

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

•
YAMPA/WHITE BASIN March, 1997
Basinwide Conditions Assessment:
The SWSI value of 3.8 indicates that for February the YAMPA-WHITE RIVER BASINS
basin water supplies were well above normal. The Natural Surface WaterS"°'" '"°'"!dilatorys
Resources Conservation Service reports March 1 snowpack asL
142% of normal. Flow at the gaging station Yampa River at -
W 3
Steamboat averaged 137 cfs as compared to the long term ; ;'
average of 93 cfs. 2 J 1 ; '
3—
February brought a welcome break to the long winter d :,
in Steamboat Springs, with several days of blue skies and 1 ° \,,, ,I h_i.. , ,,,�1/,-�_,_ �"
temperatures just above freezing. The Steamboat Springs - : :,;\,, ', ; v,� .:/
P _1—i • •• _ �,��,
weather observer reports a total of 1.28 inches of precipitation o
'-;•if
for the month, 60% if average, This includes a total monthly _ r. ,r
snowfall of 18.7 inches, 65% of average. Total snow fall for .3
the winter is 221 inches. The ski area reports a base of 79 to -4 `
JAN66 JAN69 JAN90 JAN91 JAN92 JAN93 JAN94 JAN95 JAN96 JAN97
107 inches at the end of the month. MONTH/YEAR
Precipitation at lower elevations in the west of the
basin continue to lag the mountain area. Ice on streams at
lower elevations is beginning to break.
Outlook YAMPA RIVER AT STEAMBOAT
FLOW BY WATER YEAR
Stream flows are expected to remain at base flow 60
levels through the winter months.
50
Administrative/Management Concerns i
There are no administrative or management concerns n "°
anticipated during the winter. Flooding may be a concern .1
during runoff, if weather conditions are adverse. in 30
a°
Public Use Impacts I
There is sufficient snow for related activities such as 1O ��
skiing and snowmobiling.
0
Oct Nor Ooc Jan Feb March
MONTH
0 WET(1984) 0 060(1277) A AVG X 1997
8