Laserfiche WebLink
COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES March 1995 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> The SWSI values increased in all basins of the state during February leaving no basin with a negative value. These <br /> increases are mainly due to the storms which passed over the state in February leaving increases in snowpack over most of <br /> the mountains. Statewide,the snowpack at the end of February was at 97%of average as measured by the Natural Resources <br /> Conservation Service. The highest snowpack percentage continues to be in the Rio Grande basin, which is at 115% of <br /> normal. The South Platte River basin continues to have the lowest snowpack amount at 73% of normal. <br /> Administrators in a number of basins report that they see low elevation snowpack disappearing. Spring conditions <br /> which cause a relatively slower snow melt and release of water in the summer irrigation season allow direct flow irrigators <br /> to use the runoff in a more beneficial manner. The disappearance of any of the snowpack in March, either due to above <br /> normal temperatures or high winds, is therefore not welcome by many in the agricultural community. <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 March 1, 1995 and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of February. <br /> March 1, 1995 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +0.6 +1.3 -1.3 <br /> Arkansas +0.9 +1.8 +1.7 <br /> Rio Grande +3.1 +0.8 +3.4 <br /> Gunnison +1.8 +1.9 +3.6 <br /> Colorado +1.1 +2.7 +0.9 <br /> Yampa/White 0.0 +1.9 +1.7 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +2.2 +0.9 +3.5 <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 />