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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> OM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES April, 1994 <br /> OM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> During March,snowpack declined in six of the seven major basins in the state. The Soil Conservation Service reports <br /> statewide snowpack at 84% of average as of the end of March, which is a decrease from 91% of average at the beginning <br /> of the month. The only basin which experienced a slight increase in March snowpack was the Arkansas basin, which rose <br /> by three percentage points to 97% of average. The Arkansas basin's snowpack is the highest in the state, the southwest <br /> corner of the state has the lowest snowpack at 74% of average. <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 snow pack, <br /> reservoir storage, and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period, snow pack <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 April 1, 1994 and reflect conditions during the month <br /> of March. <br /> April 1, 1994 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte -1.4 -3.3 ,� i.i -2.6 i- <br /> Arkansas -1.6 -0.8 +I-' -3.1 - '- <br /> Rio Grande -0.1 +0.2 /- ' -3.3 - ' w <br /> Gunnison -1.3 +0.5 -r• -5.0 -- '- <br /> Colorado -0.6 -0.8 • -3.0 - <br /> Yampa/White -2.7 -1.0 -2.6 - <br /> San Juan/Dolores -1.7 -0.4 ; - -4.6 - Z- <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 />