OCR Text |
Show Sir cam flow Forecasts Indicate Even Less Water For South Utah The amount of streamflow in southern Utah continued to decline following the latest snowpack measurements, with the March through September forecasts dropping another 10 to 20-percent from those issued last month. The National Weather Service's River Forecast Center in Salt Lake City reported streamflow forecasts on the Sevier River at 34-percent to 56-percent of normal. However, despite the lower , streamflow forecast, two of the t three reservoirs on the Sevier River system have above-average storage Otter creek Reservoir, with 31,100 acre feet of storage, is 106-percent above the March 1 average, and Sevier Bridge Reservoir, with 117,700 acre feet of storage, is 118-percent above average. However, Piute Reservoir, with only 24, 180 acre feet storage, is 56-percent of the 15-year average. Streamflow forecasts on the upper Sevier River, as well as many of the small streams throughout southern Utah are near record lows and irrigation users can expect significantly reduced deliveries in most areas, the report states. February precipitation was less than 30-percent of average over most of the basin with the extreme southwest receiving almost nothing. Panguitch reported one of the heaviest amounts, ,31-inches, for 53-percent of average. Seasonal precipitation (October through February) ranged from 40 to 70-percent in the upper reaches of Sevier and Beaver Creek drainages, to 40-percent in the lower Sevier Valley. Snow survey also reflect the drought with the March 1 snowpack less than 25-percent of average in the upper Sevier Basin. Forecasts for the March-September period on the Sevier River showed the following: At Hatch, 24,000 acre feet, 44-percent of normal; near Kingston, 12,000 acre feet, 34-percent; Piute Reservoir inflow, 24,000 acre feet, 41-percent; Sigurd to Gunnison inflow, 22,000 acre feet, 56-percent The East Fork Sevier River near Kingston is forecast at 14,000 acre feet for 58-percent. Clear Creek near Sevier is forecast at 5,500 acre feet for the April-June period for 26-percent of normal. All forecasts are based on the assumption that weather conditions the remainder of the season will be normal. |