OCR Text |
Show Area Water Supply Gains From Heavy February Moisture Southern Utah's water supply for 1979 continued to show gains during February as heavy amounts of precipitation were received throughout the region. The National Weather Service's River Forecast Center, is forecasting from 181-percent to 283-percent of the 15-year average along the Sevier River. While seasonal runoff from October through February, has ranged from normal to below normal, high runoff volumes are anticipated from the heavy snowpack and some minor flooding is predicted by the Weather Service. "Interests along stream channels susceptible to flooding should be alert for high flows and exercise the necessary precautions," a spokesman for the bureau said in a monthly report. Peak flows on some of the headwater streams are expected to approach levels experienced in other high years such as 1969 and 1973. The April to July streamflow forecast for various points on the river include 95,000 acre feet for 232-percent at Hatch; 62,000 acre-feet for 270-percent near Kingston; 98,000 acre feet for 272) percent Piute Reservoir inflow; 47,000 acre feet for 181-percent for the Sigurd-Gunnison inflow. Clear Creek, near Sevier, is forecast at 34,000 acre feet for 180-percent of average and East Fork Sevier River near Kingston is forecast at 43,000 acre feet for 283-percent of average. Reservoir storage figures took a considerable jump from last month as runoff began. Piute Reservoir with 31,670 acre feet on March 1, is at 71-percent of average for that day, while Otter Creek Reservoir with 23,300-acre feet contents is a 70-percent of average. Sevier Bridge Reservoir with 76,240 acre feet storage is 58-percent of average. Deep snow In the Tushar Mountains of southern Sevier and northern Piute counties show good snowpack from winter storms. Outlook for water supply in the Sevier River Basin is excellent, with streamflow forecast at up to I 283-percent of average in some areas. I |