Statewide snowpack levels are drastically diminishing as warm temperatures continue to spur a big thaw in Colorado’s high country.
As of Wednesday, statewide snowpack was 72 percent of average, down from 99 percent of average on May 1, according to the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
That decline represents rapid snowmelt ushered in by near- record temperatures that spread across the state beginning in mid-May. Consequently, many rivers – especially those in southern Colorado – saw record stream flows.
“As we’ve watched the state’s snowpack diminish we’ve also watched streams reach some of their highest volumes in many years,” said Allen Green, state conservationist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service. “That’s a welcome change to the state’s water users, who are relying upon this year’s snowpack to help recover from recent drought conditions.”
While the drought seems to be easing its grip, many river basins in northern Colorado continue to lag behind the rest of the state.
In the Yampa and White basins, snowpack is 52 percent of average. While that’s slightly better than last year, the numbers pale in comparison with those recorded in the San Juan Mountains.
Also trailing the rest of the state is the South Platte Basin, which provides water for much of the Front Range. As of Wednesday, the basin was 47 percent of average.
Still, four out of Denver Water’s five reservoirs are full.
“Around the first of April we got some snow that really helped fill those reservoirs,” said Marc Waage, a Denver Water resource manager.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1249 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.