Laserfiche WebLink
COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> LOM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES December 1996 <br /> OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> December 1 marks a change in the primary SWSI component from stream flow to snowpack. All basins have a <br /> positive SWSI value reflecting a good early season snowpack. The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports that the <br /> statewide snowpack is 157% of average. Precipitation has generally been good throughout the state since the water year <br /> began on October 1. <br /> While most water uses decline in the winter, reservoir storage and recharge use does occur. The South Platte, <br /> Arkansas, and San Juan/Dolores basins are all storing water. Administrators in the Gunnison basin report that reservoirs <br /> levels are being lowered in order to make storage space available for next spring's runoff. Diversions for ground water <br /> recharge are occurring in the South Platte and Rio Grande Basins. Ground water recharge in the South Platte basin is <br /> accomplished in order to mitigate impacts to the South Platte River caused by well pumping. Recharge is occurring in the <br /> Rio Grande basin to replenish the aquifer for the benefit of future well pumping. <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 December 1, 1996 and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of November. <br /> Dec. 1, 1996 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 1.5 -1.5 -1.4 <br /> Arkansas 1.6 0.0 +0.8 <br /> Rio Grande 3.1 +3.1 +6.8 <br /> Gunnison 2.9 +1.2 +5.7 <br /> Colorado 2.6 +0.7 +0.3 <br /> Yampa/White 3.4 +3.1 +1.7 <br /> San Juan/Dolores 3.2 +1.4 +6.4 <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 />