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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> 10M THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES August, 1997 <br /> OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> As evidenced by the positive SWSI values,which are supported by above normal stream flows and reservoir storage, <br /> Colorado's water supply remains above normal statewide. Most basin administrators reported lower than normal precipitation <br /> during much of July, with above normal rains arriving at the end of the month. The rains increased stream flows, which <br /> benefited irrigators and other direct flow diverters, but in many locations were heavy enough to cause flooding which <br /> resulted property damage and a number of drownings. <br /> The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation <br /> Service is used as an indicator of mountain based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based <br /> on stream flow, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer <br /> period stream flow is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the <br /> most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for August 1, 1997 and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of July. <br /> August 1, 1997 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 2.5 -1.2 -0.1 <br /> Arkansas 2.0 -1.6 +1.2 <br /> Rio Grande 2.3 0.0 +4.8 <br /> Gunnison 2.3 -1.3 +2.9 <br /> Colorado 1.6 -1.3 +2.5 <br /> Yampa/White 2.1 -0.8 +1.1 <br /> San Juan/Dolores 2.6 +0.1 +5.2 <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 />