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• COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> OM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES July, 1994 <br /> iOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> Water administrators in all areas of the state indicate conditions are hot and dry. The result of these conditions is <br /> below to much below average stream flows in most of the state. Administration of water rights during these low flow <br /> conditions results in many diverters being curtailed, and other senior water right holders receiving only limited amounts of <br /> water. <br /> Reservoir storage remains above average statewide, 119% of normal as of the end of June, giving those who have <br /> reservoir water a source to supplement their lack of direct diversions. If reservoir users have not already begun drawing on <br /> their supplies, they likely will before the summer is over. <br /> Many areas of the state report higher then normal winds. Such winds contribute to low soil moisture conditions <br /> which reduce stream flows, and create conditions allowing the types of wild fires which have been reported in the state <br /> during early July. <br /> The National-Weather Service reports statewide precipitation for June was 71% of normal. The National Weather <br /> Service 30 day outlook as of July 1 is for well above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation over the entire state. <br /> Their July 1st 90 day outlook is for above normal temperatures and slightly below normal precipitation statewide. <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 July 1, 1994 and reflect conditions during the month <br /> of June. <br /> July 1, 1994 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte ---ram. — I.Lj -0.4 -0.2 <br /> Arkansas +1.7 -0.7 -0.6 <br /> Rio Grande +0.6 -0.9 -0.7 <br /> Gunnison +0.1 -0.6 -2.4 <br /> Colorado -1.8 -1.4 -3.7 <br /> Yampa/White -3.8 -0.9 -6.0 <br /> San Juan/Dolores +0.2 -0.1 -1.9 <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 />