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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES December, 1992 ROOM 118,1313 SHERMAN ST..DENVER.CO 80203; (303)466-3581 While the first 2 months of the new water year saw stream flows below normal in most areas of the state a December 1 switch in SWSI parameters from streamflow to snowpack caused a rise in SWSI values. The Soil Conservation Service reports statewide snowpack at 100% of normal on December 1. The Colorado River basin had the highest amount at 121% of normal while the Rio Grande basin had the lowest amount at 70% of normal. The S.C.S. reports that the southwestern portion of the state missed the major storms during November. 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 snowpack, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period snowpack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. Inclusion of snowpack in winter computations results in an emphasis on present snow storage which may be available for next spring's runoff. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven basins on December 1, 1992 and reflect conditions during the month of November. December 1, 1992 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +0.1 -1.7 -1.1 Arkansas +0.7 +0.2 -2.4 Rio Grande -0.9 -1.0 -3.7 Gunnison +2.0 +2.7 -1.1 Colorado +1.5 +4.0 -0.8 Yampa/White +2.6 +5.1 -0.1 San Juan/Dolores +0.2 +1.7 -2.8 SCALE -4 3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply 1