Friday Top of the Scroll: Winter snowpack recedes earlier than usual in southern Colorado
Southwestern Colorado is left with 6% of its peak snowpack earlier than usual this season in part because of a rare, sudden and large melt in late April. Snow that gathers in Colorado’s mountains is a key water source for the state, and a fast, early spring runoff can mean less water for farmers, ranchers, ecosystems and others in late summer. While the snow in northern Colorado is just starting to melt, southern river basins saw their largest, early snowpack drop-off this season, compared to historical data. For Ken Curtis, the only reason irrigators in Dolores and Montezuma counties haven’t been short on water for their farms and ranches is because the area’s reservoir, McPhee Reservoir, had water supplies left over from the above-average year in 2023. “Because of the carryover, the impacts aren’t quite that crazy bad,” said Curtis, general manager of the Dolores Water Conservancy District.
Related articles:
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- Denver Post: Colorado River flows will be affected by depleting groundwater, study says
- Aspen Journalism: Using less of the Colorado River takes a willing farmer and $45 million in federal funds
- Colorado Sun: “Sharing is important” - Elementary students dive into Colorado water issues in pen pal program
- U.S. Department of the Interior: News Release - Biden-Harris Administration delivers $242 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expand Western water storage and conveyance