According to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), 47% of the state is currently experiencing some level of drought (with 84% being at least abnormally dry). The map featured above shows the drought conditions on December 1.
With 47.20 percent of the state in technical drought, the Drought Severity and Coverage Index score is currently 160 of 500. This compares to a score of 262 a year ago, when 95.45 percent of the state was experiencing some level of drought. The Drought Severity and Coverage Index is an experimental method for converting drought levels from the U.S. Drought Monitor map to a single value for an area. Possible values of the DSCI are from 0 to 500. Zero means that none of the area is abnormally dry or in drought, and 500 means that all of the area is in D4, exceptional drought.
On December 4, snowpack statewide was at 100 percent of median.
As of November 28, cumulative precipitation in the Colorado River watershed was tracking at 77% of average and the South Platte River watershed was tracking at 56% of average.
Denver Water’s supply reservoir contents as of November 28 are represented in the table below. Reservoir totals are 85% full and were 84% full this time last year.
| Reservoir | Percent Full: Current | Percent Full: Historical Median |
|---|---|---|
| Antero | 101% | 99% |
| Eleven Mile | 102% | 102% |
| Cheesman | 82% | 83% |
| Marston | 67% | 54% |
| Strontia Springs | 87% | 94% |
| Chatfield | 96% | 95% |
| Dillon | 84% | 88% |
| Gross | 21% | 38% |
| Ralston | 62% | 52% |
| Meadow Creek | 0% | 12% |
