DWR_4151846

• Title: JULY 1996 SWSI: COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE, SURFACE WATER SUPPLY INDEX
• Year: 1996
• Document Type - Publications and Reports: SWSI Monthly Report

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GUNNISON BASIN
Basinwide Conditions Assessment:
The SWSI value of 0.9 indicates that for June the GUNNISON RIVER BASIN
basin water supplies were near normal. Flow at the gaging s 5�''« `�Supply Index History
station Uncompahgre River near Ridgway averaged 514 cfs as ,_
compared to the long term average of 570 cfs. Storage in W 3 -.
Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland reservoirs totaled 108%
1.,....„ rjj
of normal as of the end of June. — a r
1 1 tc..:
Outlook 1 ihij -t,J` -� r-- r
It still appears that the streams will run lower than �� i • ti;
normal for the duration of the irrigation season. While 3 ,,
precipitation could change the situation, it would take a o z^
considerable amount to do so. The southern part of the basin 3"
is in the worst shape, especially the San Miguel tributaries.
JANB? .ANBB JAN89 JAN90 JAN9, JAN92 JAN93 JAN94 JAN95 JAN96
LONTW YEAR
Administrative/Management Concerns
In the San Miguel area the flows have dropped
sharply after the low runoff peak. This has forced a river call
on most Sam Miguel tributaries and the Water Commissioner
has been busy trying to administer them all. The Gunnison
main stem will go on call soon, essentially placing the entire UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER NR. R I DGWAY
river on call. Many junior water users will have to be 200 FLOW BY WATER YEAR
150
curtailed and will have,or already have had, only a short time ;ao
with water in their ditches. 160 1
70
On the south side of the Grand Mesa, the use of 150
., 10
reservoir water has already started after the short runoff ; 130
period. Fortunately, the large carry-over of storage from last :I ,1°
•
year has helped the reservoirs fill this spring, and there is LL g 1so
generally a full supply. The largest reservoirs, such as Blue s" 7o
Mesa,Taylor Park,and Ridgway,have almost filled. Irrigators d GO
50 !`----- --�.
will likely use as much reservoir water as possible this season. 30
2°
Public Use Impacts 0
Oct Nov O. Jen Feb March /prl l IAay June July Aug Sept
The full reservoirs will provide excellent recreational MONTH
opportunities during the entire summer season. On the rivers, "E`(1994) 0 °RY c,B77, AVG x 1996
the rafting enthusiasts will enjoy a short season, and the
fishermen will like the low flows during late summer.
Irrigators will not be so gleeful.
REPRESENTATIVE RESERVOIRS
GUNNISON RIVER BASIN
110
90
1 BO
� 70
L
Ui
s., 60 ,.....//A
a.2 50
Mir
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Taylor Rork Crawford Fruitland
LLI Avg 6/10 Contents ® 6/30,96 Contents
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