Laserfiche WebLink
COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE MCI OF THE STATE ENGINEER: DIVISION OP WATER RESOURCES March, 1992 <br /> ROOM 818.1313 SHERMAN ST..DENVER.CO 80203: (303)-866.3581 <br /> A winter time shift in the major SWSI component from stream flow (summer component) to snowpack (winter <br /> component) and heavy snow storms statewide during the month of November caused large increases in the SWSI values <br /> computed during early winter. A dry December and January have lowered the SWSI components significantly. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 107%of average on March 1. The San Juan/Dolores/Animas basin has the highest <br /> storage rate at 132%of average while the Rio Grande basin has the lowest storage rate at 92% of average. <br /> Statewide snowpack was 84% of average on March 1. Snowpack is below average nearly statewide. The highest <br /> average is the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Southern Colorado. Readings of 136% average were measured in the Cucharas <br /> and Huerfano watersheds. For the remainder of the state,below average snowpack is the rule. The Yampa and South Platte <br /> basins have snowpack totals of 75% to 80% of average. Although the state has received below average snowfall this year, <br /> the snowpack statistics remain above last year's March 1 readings. The snowpack readings range from 103% of last year <br /> in the Yampa and White river basins, to 131% of last year in the Arkansas River basin. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day forecast (March 1) for Colorado is for near normal precipitation and normal <br /> temperatures in most of the state with above normal temperatures and precipitation in the southwestern quarter of the state. <br /> The 90 day forecast (March 1) is for the same weather pattern to continue through the 90 day period. <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 March 1, 1992: <br /> March 1, 1992 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte -0.3 - 2-t" -0.2 a/,i +1.0 -r '. <br /> Arkansas -1.2 - -1.1 t o,t +0.9 v. <br /> Rio Grande +0.6 ° t -0.4 +1.0 -. . <br /> Gunnison -1.5 0,5 -0.2 I' b -0.3 <br /> Colorado -2.0 ` ` -0.2 a°- +0.1 <br /> Yampa/White -2.9 - 3 3 -0.5 - -0.6 - - <br /> San Juan/Dolores -0.4 -0.1 ;.,' 5 -0.7 <br /> SCALE <br /> -4 -3 -2 -I 0 +I +2 +3 +4 <br /> Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant <br /> Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply <br /> 1 <br />