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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> PROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES January, 1993 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> The Soil Conservation Service reports statewide snowpack at 101%of normal on December 31. The Arkansas River <br /> basin had the highest amount at 131% of normal while the South Platte basin had the lowest amount at 87% of normal. <br /> With much of the winter season still ahead snow accumulation could change significantly before next spring's runoff. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 109%of normal on December 31,with the Animas/Dolores Basin having the highest <br /> storage rate at 117% of normal and the Gunnison basin having the lowest storage rate at 87% of normal. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day forecast(January 1) for Colorado is for normal temperatures and precipitation <br /> statewide. Their 90 day forecast (January 1) is for near normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over the north <br /> and west portions of the state,and below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation over south and east Colorado. <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 snowpack, reservoir storage, <br /> and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period snowpack is the primary <br /> component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. Inclusion of <br /> snowpack in winter computations results in an emphasis on present snow storage which may be available for next spring's <br /> runoff. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven basins on January 1, 1993 and reflect conditions <br /> during the month of December. <br /> January 1, 1993 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 <br /> Arkansas +0.1 -0.6 -2.0 <br /> Rio Grande +0.7 +1.6 -1.1 <br /> Gunnison +0.9 -1.1 -0.4 <br /> Colorado +0.3 -1.2 +0.2 <br /> Yampa/White +0.0 -2.6 +1.0 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +0.1 -0.1 -1.5 <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 />