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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> OM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES May, 1994 <br /> OM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> This winter the state's snow pack measurement has continually fluctuated, one month seeing a drop in snowpack <br /> compared to average, and the next an increase. The snowpack rose during April, and finished the month at 89%of normal. <br /> This is below last year's banner amounts. The increase in snowpack was welcomed across the state as it brings additional <br /> needed water. As seen in the table below, it also resulted in an increase in the SWSI values from the previous month. <br /> April's statewide precipitation of 144% of normal contributed to the snowpack increase. The National Weather <br /> Service 30 day outlook as of May 1 is for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over the entire state. <br /> Their May 1 90 day outlook is for below normal temperatures over all but the southwest corner of the state, and above <br /> 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 snowpack, <br /> reservoir storage, and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period, snowpack <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 May 1, 1994 and reflect conditions during the month <br /> of April. <br /> May 1, 1994 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +2.7 +4.1 +0.7 <br /> Arkansas +0.3 +1.9 -1.9 <br /> Rio Grande +1.7 +1.8 -1.3 <br /> Gunnison +0.1 +1.4 -3.7 <br /> Colorado 0.0 +0.6 -3.3 <br /> Yampa/White -1.5 +1.2 -3.0 <br /> San Juan/Dolores -0.3 +1.4 -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 />