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COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> OM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES January, 1994 <br /> DM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST-,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> Mountain snowfall during December was less than average causing the Soil Conservation Survey to measure a drop <br /> in Colorado snowpack from 113%of average at the beginning of the month to 85%of average at the end of the month. The <br /> state opens the year 1994 with a 16% lower snowpack than it did 1993. The percent of average snowpack dropped in all <br /> seven basins of the state, with the South Platte drainage being the only basin ending December with an above average <br /> snowpack at 102%. <br /> Statewide reservoir storage was 118% of normal at the end of December, with the Rio Grande basin having the <br /> highest storage rate at 215% of normal. <br /> The National Weather Service reports statewide precipitation averaged a low 52%of normal during December. The <br /> Weather Service 30 day outlook as of January 1 is for above normal temperatures over the entire state,with above normal <br /> precipitation over all but the southeast corner of the state which is forecasted to have normal precipitation. Their 90 day <br /> outlook is for both near normal temperatures and precipitation over the whole state. <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 January 1, 1994 and reflect conditions during the <br /> month of December. <br /> January 1, 1994 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte +1.8 -0.8 0,0 +1.8 -,/-r <br /> Arkansas 0.0 -2.1 -0.7 -0.1 --'- <br /> Rio Grande -1.2 -1.0 -0.7 -1.9 — Li• <br /> Gunnison -0.9 -1.9 - -1.8 - <br /> Colorado +1.3 -1.1 -1-`/ +1.0 - <br /> Yampa/White 0.0 -2.9 - 0.0 - �..- <br /> San Juan/Dolores -1.8 -1.9 - -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 />