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• <br /> COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES July 1995 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> This season's runoff, which was delayed from its normal start in May, came on strong in June. River flows <br /> throughout the state were above normal during the month due to the melting of the abundant late spring snowpack. While <br /> water administrators in most basins reported some flooding due to streams exceeding their channel carrying capacity, <br /> weather conditions during June allowed most of the snowpack to be released in a manner which prevented excessive <br /> flooding. The widespread flooding which some feared as a possibility did not materialize. <br /> The National Weather Service reports statewide precipitation as 188% of normal during June. The cooler wet <br /> weather meant irrigators diverted less water to their fields,which contributed to the higher stream flows. Often diversions <br /> by irrigation ditches can alleviate threateningly high stream flows. The high stream flows allowed reservoirs across the state <br /> to end June with above average amounts. Statewide, reservoirs ended the month with approximately 133% of average in <br /> storage. <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 on July 1, 1995 and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of June. <br /> July 1, 1995 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +3.9 +0.7 +2.5 <br /> Arkansas +1.2 -1.3 -0.5 <br /> Rio Grande +2.7 +4.1 +2.1 <br /> Gunnison +3.8 +2.2 +3.7 <br /> Colorado +2.7 +4.2 +4.5 <br /> Yampa/White +2.9 +5.2 +6.7 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +2.9 +4.4 +2.7 <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 />