DWR_4151774 - Laserfiche WebLink

rr COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE 1 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES September, 1992 ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST..DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 Stream flows remain below normal in most areas exept the South Platte basin and the southwest corner of the state. Generally good reservoir storage and summer precipitation events have kept irrigators from experiencing even dryer conditions which were feared due to last spring's very low snowpack. Statewide reservoir storage was 106%of average on September 1. The Dolores and Animas River basins have the highest storage rate at 126% of average while the Arkansas basin has the lowest storage rate at 91% of average. The National Weather Service 30 day forecast (September 1) is for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over the entire state. The 90 day forecast (September 1) is for below normal temperatures and above 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 streamflow,reservoir storage, and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period streamflow 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, 1992 and reflect conditions during the month of August. sty -August 1, 1992 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +2.7 +1.3 -0.3 Arkansas +1.4 +1.3 +1.6 Rio Grande +0.1 +0.8 +0.2 Gunnison -0.8 -0.2 -0.9 Colorado -0.4 +1.6 -0.1 Yampa/White -2.6 -1.3 -2.7 San Juan/Dolores +1.2 +0.9 +1.8 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply •