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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES April, 1998 ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 Water supplies remain good throughout the state. While the statewide snowpack is below average,at 87%of normal, nowhere is this source of natural seasonal water storage extremely low. The typical scenario in most basins is that as temperatures begin to increase in April the snowpack water equivalent will begin to decline slightly. The main body of runoff typically comes in May and June. Reservoir storage is generous at 141% of average statewide. About the only reservoirs that are not already full are those that expect to catch, or are regulated for purposes of controlling, spring runoff. Stream flows appear to be all above their normal levels for this time of year. The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state. It is based on snowpack,reservoir storage,and precipitation for the winter period (November through April). During the winter period snowpack is the primary component in all basins except the South Platte basin where reservoir storage is given the most weight. The following SWSI values were computed for each of the seven major basins for April 1, 1998 and reflect conditions during the month of March. April 1, 1998 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte 2.1 0.0 -0.9 Arkansas 1.1 +1.3 -1.5 Rio Grande 0.5 +0.7 -2.4 Gunnison 1.2 +1.4 -2.4 Colorado -0.5 -0.2 -3.2 Yampa/White -2.4 -0.2 -5.6 San Juan/Dolores -0.5 +1.0 -3.4 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply 1