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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES October, 1992 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST,DENVER,CO 80203; (3033)-866-3581 <br /> The end of the water year saw stream flows low in most areas of the state. Generally good reservoir storage and <br /> summer precipitation events kept irrigators from experiencing dryer conditions which were feared due to last spring's very <br /> low snowpack. September precipitation was 46% of normal statewide with all basins receiving below normal amounts. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 104%of average on September 30. The Dolores and Animas River basins have the <br /> highest storage rate at 126% of average while the Colorado River basin has the lowest storage rate at 84% of average. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day forecast (October 1) is for below normal temperatures over all but the <br /> southwest corner of the state,and below normal precipitation statewide. The 90 day forecast(October 1) is for below normal <br /> temperatures and above normal precipitation statewide. <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 strearnflow,reservoir storage, <br /> and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period streamflow 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 October 1,1992 and reflect conditions during the month of September. <br /> October 1, 1992 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +1.9 -0.8 -0.2 <br /> Arkansas +1.1 -0.3 +1.4 <br /> Rio Grande +1.0 +0.9 -1.6 <br /> Gunnison -1.8 -1.0 -0.3 <br /> Colorado -0.8 -0.4 -2.1 <br /> Yampa/White -0.8 +1.8 -0.1 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +1.9 +0.7 -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 />