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r a <br /> COLORADO <br /> WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE <br /> OM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES February, 1999 <br /> OOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 <br /> W W W.DNR.STATE.CO.US/ <br /> The SWSI values, and reports from field administrative offices, indicate that currently no basin is experiencing low <br /> water supply problems. During January, the snowpack rose when measured as a percent of average conditions in 5 basins <br /> and dropped in 2 basins (the Rio Grande and San Juan/Dolores). These changes resulted in an end of January snowpack <br /> that was unusually even throughout the whole state,the highest value being 89%of normal in the South Platte,Rio Grande, <br /> Colorado, and Yampa/White basins, and the lowest being 83% of normal in the San Juan/Dolores basin. Warmer <br /> temperatures were experienced statewide in January. Increases in reservoir storage occurred in many basins. <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 February 1, 1999 and reflect <br /> conditions during the month of January. <br /> February 1, 1999 Change From Change From <br /> Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year <br /> South Platte 1.6 +0.6 -0.7 <br /> Arkansas 0.6 +1.7 +0.4 <br /> Rio Grande 0.9 -0.6 +1.9 <br /> Gunnison 0.3 +1.2 +0.6 <br /> Colorado -0.4 +0.2 -0.3 <br /> Yampa/White -2.4 +1.0 -0.3 <br /> San Juan/Dolores 0.4 +1.3 +2.1 <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 />