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COLORADO WATER SUPPLY CONDITIONS UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES February,-1997 ROOM 818,1313 SHERMAN ST.,DENVER,CO 80203; (303)-866-3581 Ill 6 As indicated by the SWSI values the east slope drainages have the best water supplies, with the northwest and southwest mountains having the poorest supplies. Overall,water conditions are still adequate,although noticeably less than last year which was a banner year throughout the state in terms of mid-winter snowpack. The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports the statewide snow pack was at 88%of average on February 1. The Arkansas River basin had the highest accumulation rate at 114% of average, and the San Juan/Dolores River basin had the lowest rate at 69% of average. These snow pack numbers are reflected in the SWSI values. 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 February 1, 1997 and reflect conditions during the month of January. February 1, 1998 Change From Change From Basin SWSI Value Previous Month Previous Year South Platte 2.3 -0.7 -0.7 Arkansas 0.2 -0.6 -3.1 Rio Grande -1.0 -0.1 -4.1 Gunnison -0.3 +0.1 -4.1 Colorado -0.1 -0.2 -3.4 Yampa/White -2.0 +0.8 -6.0 San Juan/Dolores -1.7 -1.4 -5.1 SCALE -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Severe Moderate Near Normal Above Normal Abundant Drought Drought Supply Supply Supply 1