Colorado Snowpack Edges Toward Normal For The Season

BOULDER, CO -- The latest USDA watershed report for Colorado came with some welcome news this week for a state plagued in recent years by fire and drought. Statewide, current snowpack levels are estimated at 115 percent of average, and a full 157 percent higher than this time last year. Colorado snowpack typically reaches its peak in the early weeks of April, according to USDA data.

In the South Platte River Basin, which includes Boulder and the northeast corner of the state, snowpack is at 110 percent of average and 122 percent of last year's time-matched total. Although reservoirs in the South Platte Basin are at near-capacity levels, across most of the state reservoir levels remain below normal.

With the exception of the southwest corner of the state, streamflow levels for 2019 are projected to be about average. Because soils snowy areas remain very dry from drought, some of the spring runoff will seep directly into the soil and there could be less than traditionally expected based on snowpack levels to fill up waiting reservoir.

The report is good news for the state's farmers and ranchers, as well as anyone concerned about wildfire next summer. According to current long-range projections from the National Weather Service, March and April are likely to continue the year's high-moisture trend.

A positive outlook for the Colorado Snow Water Equivalent Map, courtesy the @USDA. Predictions are cautiously optimistic that the snow/precip will continue to be good for March & April. Stream flows generally are forecasted to be about 95-105% of normal. https://t.co/JeKAdGrb2t pic.twitter.com/yKWC85yyuY
— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) February 25, 2019

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