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4 - COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES May, 1992 <br /> ROOM 818.1313 SHERMAN ST..DENVER.CO 80203; (303)866 3581 <br /> April saw a substantial reduction in snowpack throughout the state. Near normal to below normal amounts at the <br /> beginning of April were sharply reduced as spring storms failed to materialize. Statewide snowpack was 59%of average on <br /> May 1. The Colorado River basin has the highest amount at 65%of average while the Gunnsion River Basin has the lowest <br /> amount at 49%of average. As a result of the low snowpack the Soil Conservation Service is forecasting substantially below <br /> normal stream flows this spring and summer. The runoff may occur early and be short. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 111%of average on May 1. The Gunnison River basin has the highest storage rate <br /> at 144% of average while the Colorado basin has the lowest storage rate at 97% of average. The near average to above <br /> average reservoir storage situation may contain the only bright spot in this season's water supply. Water users with storage <br /> will likely be drawing on their supplies this summer. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day forecast (May 1) is for near to above normal precipitation for the southern <br /> quarter of the state,and near to below normal precipitation for the northern three quarters of the state. 30 day temperatures <br /> are forecast to be above normal statewide. The 90 day precipitation forecast (May 1) is the same as the 30 day forecast. <br /> The 90 day temperature forecast (May 1) is for near to below normal temperatures for the southern quarter of the state and <br /> above normal temperatures for the northern three quarters of the state. <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 the present snow storage for this spring's runoff. The following <br /> SWSI values were computed for each of the seven basins on May 1 , 1992: <br /> May 1, 1992 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +0.9 +0.1 +1.6 <br /> Arkansas -1.6 -0.6 -1.0 <br /> Rio Grande 0.0 -0.8 -1.3 <br /> Gunnison -1.3 -1.4 -2.7 <br /> Colorado -2.4 -0.9 -2.7 <br /> Yampa/White -3.6 -0.3 -4.2 <br /> San Juan/Dolores -0.5 -0.9 -0.2 <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 />