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L . . COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE 141 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES September, 1993 ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 Statewide reservoir storage was 115%of normal at the end of August,with the Rio Grande basin having the highest storage rate at 227% of normal. The National Weather Service reports statewide August precipitation as 133% of normal. The weather service's 30 day outlook is for below normal temperatures in the northwest and southeast corners of the state with near normal temperatures over the rest of the state, and for slightly above normal precipitation statewide. Their 90 day outlook is for below normal temperatures statewide and for slightly above normal precipitation in all but the southwest corner of Colorado which should get normal precipitation. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service is used as an indicator of water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on stream flow,reservoir storage, and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period stream flow is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven basins on September 1, 1993 and reflect conditions during the month of August. 1, 1993 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +2.8 +1.5 +0.1 Arkansas +2.9 +0.7 +1.5 Rio Grande +2.9 +1.4 +2.8 Gunnison +3.2 +1.5 +4.6 Colorado +3.8 +1.2 +4.2 Ask, Yampa/White +1.4 -0.6 +4.0 San Juan/Dolores +2.5 +0.9 +1.3 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought • Supply Supply Supply •