state drought conditions

Drought Status and Statewide Snowpack

According to the March 19 update from the  National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), 8.4% of the state is currently in the Moderate Drought category, and 25.7% of Colorado is Abnormally Dry. The map featured above shows the drought conditions on March 19.

As of, March 11 cumulative precipitation in the Colorado River watershed was tracking at 111% of average and the South Platte River watershed was tracking at 87% of average. Snowpack in the Colorado River is tracking at 106% of normal and is tracking at 110% of normal in the South Platte River watershed.

Denver Water’s supply reservoir contents as of March 11 are represented in the table below. Reservoir totals are 83% full and were 81% full this time last year.

ReservoirPercent Full: CurrentPercent Full: Historical Median
Antero98%100%
Eleven Mile102%102%
Cheesman100%93%
Marston60%77%
Strontia Springs102%93%
Chatfield100%93%
Dillon89%93%
Gross47%56%
Ralston81%83%
Meadow Creek9%35%

 

The district will continue to work with Denver Water on monitoring the watersheds and will provide updates to our customers through our website and social media channels.

As of March 25 statewide snowpack is 108 percent of median. The median date for peak snowpack is on April 7.

Statewide snowpack

 

Percent of median by river basin:

Yampa and White: 108

Upper Colorado: 105

Laramie and North Platte: 103

South Platte: 110

Gunnison: 105

Arkansas: 117

Upper Rio Grande: 110

San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan: 105