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• <br /> COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES May 1997 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> The water supply conditions are good statewide, as reflected in the positive SWSI values and the above average <br /> snowpack. Statewide, the snowpack averages 143%of normal as reported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, <br /> with the South Platte basin having the highest value at 156% of normal and the San Juan/Dolores basin the lowest value <br /> at 134%of normal. The high snowpack generates high SWSI values. <br /> The SWSI values are higher than last year in all basins exempt the South Platte, The South Platte SWSI value did <br /> not rise because its major input is reservoir storage which is nearly the same as last year. Of special note is the large <br /> increase in SWSI from last year in the Rio Grande and San Juan/Dolores basins. These basins were in drought conditions <br /> last year but are expected to received adequate water supplies this year. <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 snow pack,reservoir storage,and precipitation for the winter period(November through April). During the winter period <br /> snow pack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most <br /> weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for May 1, 1997 and reflect conditions <br /> during the month of April. <br /> May 1, 1997 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 3.2 +0.2 -0.1 <br /> Arkansas 3.2 +0.6 +1.3 <br /> Rio Grande 2.8 -0.1 +5.0 <br /> Gunnison 3.3 -0.3 +1.6 <br /> Colorado 3.3 +0.6 +2.1 <br /> Yampa/White 3.3 +0.1 +1.5 <br /> San Juan/Dolores 2.6 -0.3 +4.6 <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 />