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• COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES August, 1992 ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 Stream flows are below normal statewide continuing the trend from previous months. Generally good reservoir storage and summer precipitation events have kept irrigators from experiancing even dryer conditions which were feared due to last spring's very low snowpack. Statewide reservoir storage was 1060/0 of average on August 1. The Dolores and Animas River basins have the highest storage rate at 125% of average while the Rio Grande basin has the lowest storage rate at 84% of average. The National Weather Service 30 day forecast (August 1) is for above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures over the entire state. The 90 day forecast (August 1) is also for above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures. 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 August 1, 1992 and reflect conditions during the month of July. August 1, 1992 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +1.4 -0.4 0.0 Arkansas -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 Rio Grande -0.7 +0.9 -0.6 Gunnison -0.6 +0.8 -1.4 Colorado -2.0 +0.2 -1.6 Yampa/White -1.3 +2.2 -1.3 San Juan/Dolores +0.3 +0.9 +1.2 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply 1