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Record low Colorado mountain snow won't bode well for water in the drought-stricken US West
Hydrologists say the snowpack held just half its average moisture and peaked a month early, deepening drought concerns and wildfire risk.
- Hydrologist Maureen Gutsch confirmed on Tuesday that Colorado experienced its worst mountain snowpack since 1941, with assessments by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service revealing only half the average moisture.
- Unusually warm conditions reaching 56 degrees in the Rocky Mountains are driving the crisis, as Philip Anderson, a rancher in North Park, noted: "I've never seen it so warm so early and no snow all winter long."
- Denver Water approved restrictions hoping for a 20% cut, while Salt Lake City announced a 10% daily reduction. Water supply manager Nathan Elder warned the region is 7 to 8 feet of snow short of requirements.
- Rancher Jo Stanko, located 56 kilometers west of Anderson, has watered her parched meadow earlier than ever in her 50 years of ranching and plans to cut hay before June to feed her 70 cows.
- Colorado River negotiator Becky Mitchell stated the state honors senior water rights dating to the 1880s; the Upper Basin is now hiring more lawyers as federal deadlines pass and the potential for court action grows.
16 Articles
16 Articles
The Hamilton Spectator
My Mother LodeRecord low Colorado mountain snow won’t bode well for water in the drought-stricken US West
WALDEN, Colo. (AP) — Hydrologist Maureen Gutsch trudged through the mud and slush to confirm a grim picture: Colorado just had its worst snowpack since statewide record keeping began in 1941.
Associated Press News
Record low Colorado mountain snow won't bode well for water in the drought-stricken US West
Hydrologists working high in the Rocky Mountains have measured what they say is Colorado’s driest winter of snow moisture on record.
As the West’s Scant #Snowpack Melts, Coloradans Brace for a Lean Water Year: Record-high spring temperatures are worrying skiers, ranchers and water managers — Annie MacKeigan (WaterDesk.org) #runoff
In early March 2026, bushes and vegetation stick out from under the snow under a lift at Arapahoe Basin. (Annie MacKeigan/The Water Desk) Click the link to read the article on The Water Desk website (Annie MacKeigan): March 24, 2026 Call it the winter that wasn’t. Throughout Colorado a record-warm and dry winter has come to a close. Attention now pivots to spring and the potential for additional snow to allay increasing drought concerns. Though…
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