Snowpack in the upper Colorado River basin is slightly less than normal for this time of year, meaning Arizona could see sustained water cuts through 2026. Though trends could change through the rest of the winter, the snowpack in the basin is about 94% of the median for mid-January. While Arizona’s share of Colorado River water in 2025 is already set, the snowpack numbers are early indicators of how much river water the state could get next year. Even with an average snow year, water managers say dry conditions and warming temperatures could create below-average runoff, keeping Arizona water users in shortage.

Other Colorado River articles:

• 8 News Now (Las Vegas): Lake Mead projections improve by 14 feet compared to a year ago
• KJZZ: Tucson, Gilbert mark the start of new, federally-funded projects to preserve Colorado River water
• The Colorado Sun: Pikes Peak cities, counties, businesses and federal land managers ask Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help manage recreation around  America’s Mountain
• Sky-Hi News (Granby, Colo.): Upper Colorado River enhancement project awarded $1.4 million grant
• Sky-Hi News (Granby, Colo.): Federal government says land exchange proposed by billionaire in Grand and Summit counties is complete
• Utah News Dispatch: Report details the state’s ‘meaningful’ progress getting more water to the Great Salt Lake