According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Water and Climate Center’s snow pack report, the Wolf Creek summit, at 11,000 feet of elevation, had 4.2 inches of snow water equivalent as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
That amount is just 53 percent of that date’s median snow water equivalent.
The San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan river basins were at 33 percent of the Dec. 1 median in terms of snow pack.
River report
The Piedra River near Arboles continues to flow at record low rates.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Piedra River was flowing at a rate of 37.1 cfs as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1.
The highest recorded rate for this date was 360 cfs in 1987.
Based on 59 years of water re- cords at this site, the average flow rate for that date is 85 cfs.
According to the USGS, the San Juan River was flowing at a rate of 52.6 cfs in Pagosa Springs as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Based on 86 years of water records at this site, the lowest recorded flow rate for this date is 33 cfs, recorded in 1938.The highest recorded rate for this date was in 2008 at 761 cfs. The average flow rate for this date is 83 cfs.
Colorado Drought Monitor map November 30. 2021.
Drought report
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NI- DIS) was last updated on Nov. 23.
The NIDIS website indicates 100 percent of Archuleta County is abnormally dry.
The percentage of the county in a moderate drought is listed at 70.86, which is consistent with the previous report.
The NIDIS website also notes that 47.66 percent of the county is in a severe drought stage, consis- tent with last week’s report.
Additionally, the NIDIS website notes that 10.33 of the county remains in an extreme drought, consistent with last week’s report.
No portion of the county is in exceptional drought.
