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A <br /> COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> tOM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES June 1997 <br /> OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)4366.3581 <br /> As the SWSI values show, water supply conditions are good throughout the state. Stream flow, reservoir storage, <br /> and precipitation numbers were almost all above average. The change in the major SWSI component this month from <br /> snowpack (winter component) to stream flow (summer component) did not create a significant shift in SWSI values. <br /> The month of May ushered in the beginning of this spring's runoff. Stream flows rose,with most rivers increasing <br /> to above average levels. The South Platte, Gunnison, Yampa/White, and San Juan/Dolores basins reported experiencing <br /> cooler weather in the latter half of May which slowed snowmelt and suppressed stream flows. The runoff is expected to peak <br /> for most rivers during June. While the snowpack remaining as of June 1 is 142% of normal statewide, as reported by the <br /> Natural Resources Conservation Service, it must be remembered that this consists of a decrease in actual amount of snow <br /> since May 1 due to the snowmelt which occurs during May. <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 June 1, 1997 and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of May. <br /> June 1, 1997 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 2.6 -0.6 -0.4 <br /> 0 Arkansas 2.5 -0.7 -1.0 <br /> Rio Grande 2.1 -0.7 +2.0 <br /> Gunnison 2.8 -0.5 0.0 <br /> Colorado 3.2 -0.1 -0.1 <br /> Yampa/White 3.3 0.0 +0.5 <br /> San Juan/Dolores 2.6 0.0 +2.4 <br /> SCALE <br /> -4 -3 -2 -1 6 +1 +2 +3 +4 <br /> Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant <br /> Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply <br /> 1 <br />