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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> OM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES November 1996 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> October precipitation in the southern mountains significantly improved the water supply conditions in that area of <br /> the state. Lack of precipitation and low stream flows in the southern mountains had been of concern during the past <br /> summer, evidenced by continued negative SWSI values in the Rio Grande and San Juan/Dolores basins since July 1. The <br /> SWSI values in those two basins have now improved to 0.0 and 1.8 respectively. No basin currently has a negative SWSI <br /> value. <br /> While diversions for direct flow irrigation virtually cease as of the end of October, water use and administration <br /> activity does not. Many reservoirs begin to store what they can for next year. Some reservoirs hope to fill during the winter <br /> storage period, while for others it is just a start to what will be stored during the runoff. Canals and reservoirs often have <br /> maintenance work performed on them in late fall and winter when they are empty or water levels are at their lowest. Water <br /> administrators begin the annual compilation of stream flow and diversion records. <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 November 1, 1996 and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of October. <br /> Nov. 1, 1996 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 3.0 -0.9 -0.3 <br /> Arkansas 1.6 +1.0 -1.1 <br /> Rio Grande 0.0 +1.6 -0.6 <br /> Gunnison 1.7 +1.2 -1.3 <br /> Colorado 1.9 -0.1 -0.6 <br /> Yampa/White 0.3 +0.1 -2.3 <br /> San Juan/Dolores 1.8 +3.1 +1.7 <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 />