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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES January, 1992 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERD/WV ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> A November 1, 1991 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 computed <br /> November SWSI values. A relatively drier December has moderated the SWSI values somewhat. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 108%of average on January 1. The San Juan/Dolores/Animas basin has the highest <br /> storage rate at 140% of average while the Colorado basin has the lowest storage rate at 96% of average. <br /> Statewide snowpack was 101%of average on January 1. The Arkansas River basin has the highest rate at 136%of <br /> average while the northwestern portion of the state in the North Platte and Yampa/White basins had the lowest rate at 77% <br /> and 86% of average respectivly. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day forecast (January 1) for Colorado is for above normal precipitation and below <br /> normal temperatures.The 90 day forecast (January 1) is also for above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures <br /> statewide. <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 1st through April 30). 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 January 1 , 1992: <br /> January 1, 1992 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +0.5 -0.7 - +0.9 - $ <br /> Arkansas +2.1 -1.0 - ` -0.5 <br /> Rio Grande +1.8 -1.0 ' G +0.3 -- <br /> Gunnison +1.3 -1.8 +1.1 <br /> Colorado +0.1 -2.2 - '7 +0.4 - - <br /> Yampa/White -1.0 -3.7 - -1.1 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +1.6 -1.4 -z r +1.4 - - <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 />