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ROY ROMER col <br /> JERIS A. DANIELSON <br /> rel <br /> Governor *kI5F-492"41.1 <br /> State Engineer <br /> /8 7 j' <br /> OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER <br /> DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES <br /> 1313 Sherman Street-Room 818 <br /> Denver, Colorado 80203 <br /> (303) 866-3581 <br /> • <br /> COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> March 13, 1990 <br /> Statewide, water supply conditions improved slightly during the month of <br /> February. February precipitation statewide averaged 108% of normal with a low <br /> of 71% of average in the Gunnison basin and a high of 170% of average in the • <br /> Rio Grande basin. Snowpack measured on March 1 was 66% of average and 90% of <br /> last year. Conditions are worst in the Rio Grande and San Juan/Dolores basins <br /> with 43% and 38% of average respectively. Water storage in the state's 69 <br /> major reservoirs was 92% of average as measured on March 1, 1990. However, <br /> this is only 73% of last year's storage. Storage is below average in both the <br /> San Juan/Dolores and Colorado basins with 38% and 77% of average <br /> respectively. A major winter storm occurring on March 6, 1990, provided <br /> significant precipitation statewide. The snowpack water supply increased by <br /> five percentage points statewide. The South Platte basin improved from 80% of <br /> average to 93% of average. The eastern plains benefited from the <br /> precipitation event through improved soil moisture. <br /> The attached report includes updates of the Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) <br /> addressing the relative availability of water resources supplies in each of <br /> the seven major drainage basins in the state. The winter SWSI values <br /> (December 1 - May 1) are computed utilizing basin weighted factors of <br /> snowpack, precipitation, and reservoir storage. This index indicates that <br /> water resources supplies are now below normal to significantly below normal . <br /> The worst conditions are found to be in the Rio Grande and San Juan/Dolores <br /> basins. A brief description of the water supply conditions in each basin is <br /> provided. <br /> The snow water equivalence is highest in snowpack accumulating during the <br /> March - April period. The Soil Conservation Service - Water Supply Forecast <br /> Office, however, suggests that above normal precipitation during the March - <br /> April period would not likely bring the spring runoff up to normal . The <br /> Colorado Climate Center advised that historic data suggest that when snowpack <br /> is at such low levels on March 1, typically the winter precipitation remains <br /> below normal for the duration of the winter period. Contact John Kaliszewski <br /> at (303) 866-3581 if you have any comments or questions. <br />