DWR_4151862 - Laserfiche WebLink

COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE ROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES November 1995 :OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 Fall is a relatively quiet period for water use in the state. Direct application irrigators have nearly all ceased diverting as of the end of October. Due to the lower river flows this is the season when water users do much of the repair and maintenance work on their structures. Water Commissioners compile the previous water year's diversion records. The 1996 water year began in October with adequate stream flows. Reservoir levels were generally good to excellent, with some reservoirs releasing water to make room for next spring's runoff. The National Weather Service reports statewide precipitation at 38% of normal during October. 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 stream flow, reservoir storage, and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period stream flow 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 November 1, 1995 and reflect conditions during the month of October. November 1, 1995 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +3.3 -0.5 +1.4 Arkansas +2.7 -0.9 +0.7 Rio Grande +0.6 -1.5 -1.0 Gunnison +3.0 -0.2 +2.2 Colorado +2.5 -0.8 +3.9 Yampa/White +2.6 +1.2 +5.6 San Juan/Dolores +0.1 -1.3 -1.3 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply 1