The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land — Luna Leopold
#Colorado #snowpack remains steady despite record dry weather in U.S. during March — KOAA
Click the link to read the article on the KOAA website (Alex O’Brien). Here’s an excerpt:
Precipitation over the past 30 days was well below average for the bulk of the western United States. Central Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and central New Mexico were the anomalies in the west, receiving above-average precipitation. Despite the late start to snow this season, winter precipitation ended up near average for Colorado Springs and Pueblo. This allowed a decrease in drought conditions…
West Drought Monitor 12 week change map ending April 5, 2022.
Drought for the western US holds strong. NOAA classifies the current drought to be the “most extensive and intense drought in the 22-year history of the US Drought Monitor.”
[…]
Click the map for a larger view. Via the NRCS: website
Snowmelt this year is expected to be slightly below normal in accordance with the current snowpack, which is 91% of normal statewide as of April 7…Colorado’s luck seems to run out past the state lines. The Colorado River is the lifeline of the southwest US, supplying water to Lake Powell and Lake Mead. These lakes remain at concerning low levels as drought remains relentless.
According to an analysis from the National Weather Service Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, Blue Mesa Reservoir’s current storage is 29%. Flow into the Blue Mesa will be 83% of normal during this year’s run-off. Lake Powell is at 24% storage currently, and spring run-off will flow into Lake Powell at 64% of normal flow.
