According to the Feb. 25 update from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), 21% of the state is currently experiencing some level of drought with 17% in the Moderate Drought category, 3% in a Severe Drought, 1% in the Extreme Drought category, and 24% of Colorado is Abnormally Dry. The map featured above shows the drought conditions on Feb. 25.
At the end of February, snowpack in Denver Water’s collection areas stood at 104% of normal in the South Platte Basin and 118% of normal in the Colorado River Basin. Cumulative precipitation in the Colorado River watershed was tracking at 119% of average and the South Platte River watershed was tracking at 91% of average.
Denver Water’s total reservoir supply was at 82% full as of Feb. 24, which is consistent with the historical median. Reservoir levels fall over the winter and then go back up in the spring when the snow melts.
Currently, on March 3 snowpack statewide is 85 percent of median.
Percent of median by river basin:
Yampa and White: 94
Colorado Headwaters: 95
Laramie and North Platte: 99
South Platte: 101
Gunnison: 82
Arkansas: 72
Upper Rio Grande: 62
San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan: 63
Information provided by USDA, NIDIS, and CWCB and Denver Water.