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• COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE ROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES August 1995 OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 July was a good month for water supply throughout the state. This year's delayed runoff continued into July causing above normal river flows on virtually all streams. Unusual conditions existed on a number of normally overappropriated rivers such that users who were normally short of water at this time in the summer were receiving sufficient supplies. As a result, on those rivers state administrators did not have to curtail diverters with junior water rights to meet calls for water by senior water right holders. Reservoirs were either able to store water, or experienced reduced demands, allowing them to end the month with well above average amounts. Significant numbers of reservoirs filled. 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 on August 1, 1995 and reflect conditions during the month of July. August 1, 1995 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte +3.4 -0.5 +3.2 Arkansas +3.5 +2.3 +4.2 Rio Grande +3.5 +0.8 +5.0 Gunnison +3.0 -0.8 +5.0 Colorado +3.5 +0.8 +6.5 Yampa/White +3.7 +0.8 +7.4 San Juan/Dolores +3.5 +0.6 +5.9 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply 1