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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES April, 1992 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> • <br /> March weather resulted in an increase in snowpack across the state. Statewide snowpack was 93% of average on <br /> April 1. The Arkansas River basin has the highest amount at 102%of average while the northwestern portion of the state <br /> has the lowest amount with the Yampa/White river basins at 83%of average and the North Platte basin at 75%of average. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 108%of average on April 1. The Gunnison River basin has the highest storage rate <br /> at 135% of average while the Rio Grande basin has the lowest storage rate at 94% of average. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day forecast (April 1) for the northern two-thirds of Colorado is for below normal <br /> precipitation and above normal temperatures. The southern third of the state if forecast to have near or above normal <br /> precipitation and below normal temperatures. The 90 day forecast (April 1) is the same. <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 next spring's runoff. The following <br /> SWSI values were computed for each of the seven basins on April 1 , 1992: <br /> April 1, 1992 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +0.8 +1.1 -1.7 <br /> Arkansas -1.0 +0.2 0.0 <br /> Rio Grande +0.8 +0.2 -0.7 <br /> Gunnison +0.1 +1.6 -0.8 <br /> Colorado -1.5 +0.5 -0.6 <br /> Yampa/White -3.3 +0.4 -2.6 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +0.4 +0.5 +0.5 <br /> SCALE <br /> -4 -3 -2 -1 6 +1 +Z +3 +4 <br /> Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant <br /> Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply <br /> 1 <br />