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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES May 1995 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-358] <br /> All major mountain based river basins in the state experienced an increase in snowpack during the month of April. <br /> The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports the statewide May 1 snowpack as 141% of normal. The increase in <br /> snowpack resulted in an increase in the SWSI values for all basins except that in the southwest corner of the state. The SWSI <br /> value in that basin may not have risen due to a reduction in reservoir level in anticipation of a larger than normal runoff. <br /> A number of basin administrators report concern about the possibility of flooding if warm weather results in a quick <br /> snow melt. Cooler weather which releases the snowpack to the streams further into the summer helps prevent flooding and <br /> allows the flows to be used by direct diversion irrigators in a more beneficial manner. Another item of concern identified <br /> by some administrators was the fact that soil moisture was so high that many fanners are being delayed in getting into their <br /> fields for planting. <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 snowpack,reservoir storage,and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period <br /> snowpack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most <br /> weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins on May 1, 1995 and reflect conditions <br /> during the month of April. <br /> May 1, 1995 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +0.8 +0.9 -1.9 <br /> Arkansas +3.2 +1.3 +2.9 <br /> Rio Grande +3.4 +0.2 +1.7 <br /> Gunnison +3.6 +0.7 +3.5 <br /> Colorado +2.6 +1.1 +2.6 <br /> Yampa/White -0.4 +0.3 +1.1 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +2.4 -0.2 +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 />