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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE ROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES September, 1997 OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 The water supply conditions during August were excellent throughout the state of Colorado. Above average rainfall was received statewide contributing to above average stream flows which,together with good reservoir storage,boosted the SWSI values. Of note is the large increase in SWSI values in nearly all basins compared to the values last year. The amount and consistency of the rain caused some difficulties for ranchers who wished to hay their fields. The wet weather reduced demand for direct flow irrigation diversions at a time there was abundant stream flow for such diversions. The South Platte River, for example, had no calls for water down stream of Denver, which.is.a very unusual occurrence during August. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on stream flow, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period stream flow is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for September 1, 1997 and reflect conditions during the month of August. • September 1, 1997 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte 4.0 +1.5 +1.2 Arkansas 2.9 +0.9 +3.4 Rio Grande 2.6 +0.3 +5.1 Gunnison 2.9 +0.6 +3.8 Colorado 3.3 +1.7 +3.4 Yampa/White •3.8 +1.7 +5.2 San Juan/Dolores 3.7 +1.1 +7.2 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought • ,Drought• Supply Supply Supply •