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.I J <br /> COLORADO <br /> 0 <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES March, 1999 <br /> ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> W W W.DNR.STATE.CO.US <br /> SWSI values in all basins show the state to be in a near normal water supply situation. The South Platte basin SWSI <br /> value is slightly above normal, but has been for many years. The statewide snowpack accumulation of 85% of normal on <br /> March 1 is slightly below average. The Yampa/White basin has the highest snowpack, 92% of normal, and the San <br /> Juan/Dolores basin has the lowest snowpack, 74%of normal. Stream flows are running at typical rates. Reservoir storage <br /> is doing well, with an end of February statewide value of approximately 118% of normal. <br /> The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation <br /> Service is used as an indicator of mountain based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based <br /> on snowpack,reservoir storage,and precipitation for the winter period(November through April). During the winter period <br /> snowpack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most <br /> weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for March 1, 1999, and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of February. <br /> March 1, 1999 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 1.7 +0.1 -0.4 <br /> Arkansas 0.2 -0.4 +1.0 <br /> Rio Grande 0.5 -0.4 +1.3 <br /> Gunnison -0.2 -0.5 +0.6 <br /> Colorado 0.0 -0.2 +0.3 <br /> Yampa/White -0.1 +1.6 +2.1 <br /> San Juan/Dolores 0.0 -0.4 +1.5 <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 />