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COLORADO s WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE LOM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES 1996 OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 ir,444a v y The SWSI values continue last month's distribution of being higher in the northern basins and lower in the southern basins. This is due to snowpack, which is quite high in the northern mountains and very low in the southern mountains. The Natural Resources Conservation Service indicates that statewide the snowpack averages 147% of normal. All basins experienced an increased in snowpack as a percent of normal during January. Storage levels in reservoirs continues to be above average statewide. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on snowpack,reservoir storage,and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period snowpack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for February 1, 1996 and reflect conditions during the month of January. February 1, 1996 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +3.5 +0.6 +4.2 Arkansas +2.5 +3.0 +3.4 Rio Grande -2.4 +1.5 -4.3 Gunnison +0.8 +3.1 +0.9 Colorado +2.4 +0.7 +4.0 0 Yampa/White +2.8 +3.5 +4.7 San Juan/Dolores -1.9 +0.8 +3.2 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply . 1