Laserfiche WebLink
COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> Peceowber <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES 1993 <br /> OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> By the end of November stream flows have dropped to close to their minimum winter base flow levels,and mountain <br /> snow pack has begun to accumulate to supply next spring's runoff. The major factor used to compute the Surface Water <br /> Supply Index changed from stream flow (summer factor) to snow pack (winter factor) this month. The U.S.D.A. Soil <br /> Conservation Service made their first snow pack measurements near the end of November,which showed a statewide average <br /> snow pack or 113%of average. This is slightly ahead of last year's accumulations at this time. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 120% of normal at the end of November, with the Rio Grande basin having the <br /> highest storage rate at 223% of normal. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day outlook as of December 1 is for below normal temperatures and above normal <br /> precipitation statewide. Their 90 day outlook is also for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation over <br /> the entire state. <br /> The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service is used <br /> as an indicator of water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on snow pack,reservoir storage, <br /> and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period snow pack is the primary <br /> component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI <br /> values were computed for each of the seven basins on December 1, 1993 and reflect conditions during the month of <br /> November. <br /> December 1, 1993 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +2.6 -0.4 +2.5 <br /> Arkansas +2.1 -0.2 +1.4 <br /> Rio Grande -0.2 +0.1 +0.7 <br /> Gunnison +1.0 0.0 -1.0 <br /> Colorado +2.4 +0.3 +0.9 <br /> Yampa/White +2.9 +2.0 +0.3 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +0.1 +0.4 -0.1 <br /> SCALE <br /> -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 <br /> Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant <br /> Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply <br /> 1 <br />