Laserfiche WebLink
.11 COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> r <br /> OM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES February, 1994 <br /> OM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> The below average snowpack over the entire state continues to drop the SWSI values in all basins except the South <br /> Platte. The Soil Conservation Service reports the statewide snowpack at 77% of normal on February 1, and forecasts low <br /> stream flows for next spring and summer's runoff. Above average Reservoir Storage is one optimistic indicator. Statewide, <br /> reservoir storage was 114% of normal at the end of January, with the Rio Grande basin having the highest storage rate at <br /> 209% of normal. A number of basin water administrators report that reservoir operators have revised release schedules to <br /> carry more water into the runoff season. <br /> The National Weather Service 30 day outlook as of February 1 is for below normal temperatures over the entire state, <br /> with below normal precipitation over the northern two-thirds of the state and above normal precipitation over the southern <br /> one-third. Their February 1, 90 day outlook is for the extream northwest corner of the state to have above normal <br /> temperatures with below normal precipitation,and the remainder of the state to experiance below normal temperatures with <br /> above 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 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 February 1, 1994 and reflect conditions during the <br /> month of January. <br /> February 1, 1994 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +1.8 0.0 ao-1 +1.8 a/-v <br /> Arkansas -0.7 -0.7 - 0, <br /> Rio Grande -1.9 -0.7 ;i,6 -4.3 - 3-/ <br /> Gunnison -1.9 -1.0 J./ -3.9 - Y-7 <br /> Colorado -0.1 -1.4 . ?• +0.2 - /- '_, <br /> Yampa/White -1.3 -1.3 - >.,.t -1.0 -, <br /> San Juan/Dolores -2.6 -0.8 -ei_ .; -4.9 cf-;i <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 />