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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> ROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES October, 1994 <br /> OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> Most basins report that the precipitation received during September helped alleviate the extremely dry conditions <br /> of earlier summer. While most all stream flows are still below normal,the precipitation helped a few improve to near normal <br /> flows. The seasonal reduction in irrigation use has presently eliminated the demand on the river for direct application <br /> irrigation water. Now is the time of year some irrigation reservoirs begin diverting in anticipation of next year. Whether <br /> irrigation supplies will be even shorter next year depends on how conditions develop this winter. Reservoir storage is <br /> approximately 95% of normal statewide. <br /> The National Weather Service reports statewide precipitation for September as 93%of normal. The Weather Service <br /> 30 day outlook as of October 1 shows expectations for below normal temperatures and slightly above normal precipitation <br /> statewide. Its October 1st 90 day outlook is for below normal temperatures over the whole state,with slightly above normal <br /> precipitation over all but the northwest corner of the state which is expected to have normal precipitation. <br /> The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A.Soil Conservation Service is used <br /> as an indicator of mountain based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on stream flows, <br /> reservoir storage,and precipitation for the summer period (May through October). During the summer period, stream flow <br /> is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The <br /> following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven basins on October 1, 1994 and reflect conditions during the <br /> month of September. <br /> October 1, 1994 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +1.8 0.0 -1.5 <br /> Arkansas -0.4 -0.1 -2.6 <br /> Rio Grande +0.9 +2.8 -3.2 <br /> Gunnison -1.6 +0.9 -2.6 <br /> Colorado -1.5 +0.8 -3.5 <br /> Yampa/White -2.8 +0.8 -3.4 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +1.2 +3.7 -0.7 <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 />