Current drought conditions described in article.

Drought and Snowpack Update

According to the May 28 update from the  National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), 15% of the state is currently in the Moderate Drought category, and 23.5% of Colorado is Abnormally Dry. The map featured above shows the drought conditions on May 28.

As of, May 28 cumulative precipitation in the Colorado River watershed was tracking at 117% of average and the South Platte River watershed was tracking at 101% of average. Snowpack in the Colorado River is tracking at 124% of normal and is tracking at 101% of normal in the South Platte River watershed.

Denver Water’s supply reservoir contents as of May 28 are represented in the table below. Reservoir totals are 90% full and were 89% full this time last year.

ReservoirPercent Full: CurrentPercent Full: Historical Median
Antero88%100%
Eleven Mile103%102%
Cheesman97%95%
Marston82%63%
Strontia Springs86%93%
Chatfield50%57%
Dillon97%98%
Gross44%84%
Ralston92%87%
Meadow Creek66%76%

The district will continue to work with Denver Water on monitoring the watersheds and will provide updates to our customers through our website and social media channels.

As of May 30 statewide snowpack is 139 percent of median.

Statewide snowpack as described in the article.

Percent of median by river basin:

Yampa and White: 136

Colorado Headwaters: 152

Laramie and North Platte: 121

South Platte: 165

Gunnison: 119

Arkansas: 170

Upper Rio Grande: 5

San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan: 40