CNGA LooseLeaf April/May19

10 colorad o nga.org LooseLeaf April/May 2019 Currently snowpack levels within watersheds that are tributary to the Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) and Windy Gap Project collection systems are average to slightly above average. Also, reservoir levels within the C-BT Project and Northern Water’s service area range from slightly below to slightly above historic averages for water storage. Based on this relatively limited information, water availability for summer 2019 looks pretty good. Keep in mind that we still have a major portion of Colorado’s snowpack accumulation season ahead of us (end of February through early May). Much of Colorado is heavily dependent on snowpack, spring runoff and reservoir storage for year-round water supplies. If we were to see below average snow accumulation from late February to early May, the scenario I just outlined could change for the worse. However, the long-range weather forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) call for above average February through April precipitation for much of Colorado. Based on the information I’ve provided above, looking ahead from today’s limited perspective, it appears there should be adequate water for landscape irrigation within Northern Water’s service area. Northern Water provides untreated water to agriculture, industry, municipal, and domestic water providers within Northern Water’s service/ delivery area. It will be up to those municipal and domestic water providers to determine if watering restrictions are warranted. For Northeastern Colorado, Water Supplies for Irrigation Appear Adequate By Greg Silkensen, Communications Department Assistant Manager, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District This coming summer is looking really good right now for water availability in our water district. Our snow survey, conducted on February 11, 2019, showed our watershed was around 130 percent of average for SWE (snow-water equivalent). We are cautiously optimistic, since the past few years have shown our historically wetter months of February and March didn’t pan out much. However, this year is showing a much more active weather pattern. The Climate Prediction Center, operated by NOAA, currently shows we have a 30 percent chance of above average precipitation for this spring. So, it does seem like water supplies will be adequate this summer for landscape irrigation. We do not anticipate implementing any water restrictions at this time, but will continue to preach water conservation to our customers. We usually have a good idea on watering restrictions right about this time of year. If, our snowpack was a little closer to normal or below normal, we’d often like to see how runoff goes before implementing restrictions. Last year, we had good reservoir storage levels, which we relied on due to the low runoff, but eventually went to watering restrictions in August, when it became apparent our monsoonal weather pattern was very weak. To ensure we have sufficient water supplies, we have an interconnect to supplement from both Clifton Water and Ute Water. In addition to our primary water supply on Kannah Creek, we also have an additional water supply from the Gunnison River. For Grand Junction, Active Weather Pattern Elicits Cautious Optimism By Mark Ritterbush, Water Services Manager, City of Grand Junction Water Department Photo courtesy of the City of Grand Junction Photo courtesy of Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District