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YAMPA/WHITE BASIN May, 1998 <br /> Basinwide Conditions Assessment: <br /> The SWSI value of -1.6 indicates that for April the YAMPA—WHITE RIVER BASINS <br /> basin water supplies were slightly below normal. The Natural s S` 'lY Surface Water Indar H,=tory- <br /> Resources Conservation Service reports May 1 snowpack as ,- <br /> 103% of normal. Flow at the gaging station Yampa River at 3_ <br /> Steamboat averaged 802 cfs as compared to the long term = a" =�-. <br /> average of 598 cfs. : - " ,,-; <br /> The Steamboat Springs weather observer reports a i i- : ~• <br /> total of 1.6 inches of precipitation for the month of April. i D - 1`" ; >���_ . �"'�" <br /> This is 73%of average and includes 9.4 inches of snow. Near ''� <br /> r <br /> normal temperatures persisted throughout the month. r -,",-��; : : . ." 0 : - / <br /> Stream flow increased throughout the month, with a -2- �`- - ;'= <br /> many of the streams and rivers now running near bank full. -3- ; : : _; / <br /> The lower and mid-elevation lakes and reservoirs are -+ .................................... ....... <br /> JAN89 JAN90 JAN91 JMS2 JAN93 JAN91 JAN95 JAN96 JAN97 JAN98 <br /> free of ice. Many of the high elevation reservoirs are thawing MONTH/YEAR <br /> and will soon be ice free. The major reservoirs in the basin <br /> are at or near capacity. Many reservoirs have been spilling <br /> since early in the month. <br /> Some low lying meadows adjacent to the rivers are <br /> starting to experience nurmal spring time flooding. YAMPA RIVER AT STEAMBOAT <br /> FLOW BY WATER YEAR <br /> 300 <br /> Outlook .0 <br /> 26D <br /> Stream flows are expected to be at near normal levels 240 <br /> as the runoff continues. ! 220 <br /> zoo <br /> i <br /> i n Leo <br /> Administrative/Management Concerns o-2 960 • <br /> No administrative or management concerns are W "0 <br /> 120 <br /> anticipated for the spring. As heavy runoff conditions s" ,00 . <br /> r <br /> approach, the potential for localized flooding in the low lying 1 80 - 7areas will be monitored. Irrigation use has begun in the lower 8040 <br /> _ <br /> elevation ranch lands. 20 —� <br /> 0 <br /> Oct Nov Doc Jan Fab March April I.Wy <br /> Public Use Impacts KNTN <br /> With the rivers running at higher levels, boaters are ° WET C90" ° OreY(1977) O AYG X 1998 <br /> beginning to take advantage of white water conditions. More <br /> kayakers are being seen on the Yampa River in Steamboat <br /> Springs. The increased flows and accompanying turbidity have showed the fishing interest on the rivers. Fishing on the <br /> reservoirs has begun to increase. With the higher flows caution should be exercised when around these water courses <br /> because of the swift currents. <br /> 8 <br />