The deepening snowpack in the north-central Colorado mountains is good news to more than skiers and snowboarders: Water utilities along the Front Range say supplies are up from last year, and some reservoirs could fill for the first time since a major drought started in 1999.
The storms just keep rolling in, and up to 2 feet of fresh snow was forecast for Thursday.
“We really have the best of both worlds, enjoying a great ski season with mild weather down here in Denver,” said Marc Waage, water supply manager for the Denver Water Board, the state’s largest municipal supplier with 1.1 million customers.
Last year, the snowpack in the watersheds that supply Denver Water were 83 percent of average west of the Continental Divide and 84 percent in the east.
This year the totals are 140 percent west and 105 percent east.
“We are in very good shape. Our reservoirs are slightly above normal for this time of the year, and with the snowpack well above normal things look good,” said Waage.
Snowpack in the watersheds serving Aurora, which has struggled more than Denver in meeting water demand, us 127 percent of average, utility spokeswoman Melissa Elliott said.
“That’s wonderful news,” she said.
She said Aurora’s 12 reservoirs and lakes are 62 percent full, and some may spill over for the first time since 1999.
Colorado Springs’ watersheds were at 87 percent of average on Tuesday, up from 55 percent a year ago. On Oct. 1, the city lifted mandatory water restrictions that had been in effect since 2001 and replaced them with voluntary goals, said spokeswoman Carol Rallo.
The three utilities said the lack of snow along the Front Range this winter could mean increased consumption this spring.
Statewide, the snowpack is only 101 percent of the 30-year average because the southern part of the state remains parched.
Melting snow contributes about 80 percent of the water in rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs, which comprise much of the state’s water supply. Eight major Colorado river systems also provide water to 10 western states.
