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R <br /> COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES August, 1993 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> The delay in the melt of this year's snowpack contributed to higher streamflows during July which have been of <br /> benefit to most irrigators. July precipitation was much below normal throughout the state. <br /> While last winter's above average snowpack has resulted in higher than average stream flows this spring and <br /> summer, the flows generally did not reach the levels which were expected. This fact illustrates the multitude of factors <br /> involved in the relationship between snowpack and stream flow. Cool spring temperatures, precipitation, and cloud cover <br /> all contributed to a delay in the snowmelt which allowed some of the moisture content of the snow to evaporate off of the <br /> snow surface. Slow release of water also allowed the soil to store more of the water than if the melt had occured in a shorter <br /> period. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 113% of normal on July 31, with the Rio Grande basin having the highest storage <br /> rate at 190% of normal. <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 stream flow, reservoir storage, <br /> and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period stream flow 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 August 1, 1993 and reflect conditions during the month of June. <br /> August 1, 1993 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +1.3 -1.1 -0.1 <br /> Arkansas +2.2 -0.1 +2.3 <br /> Rio Grande +1.5 +0.2 +2.2 <br /> Gunnison +1.7 -0.8 +2.3 <br /> Colorado +2.6 +0.7 +4.6 <br /> Yampa/White +2.0 -0.2 +3.3 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +1.0 -0.5 +1.3 <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 />