According to the January 30 update from the National Integrated Drought Information System(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window) (NIDIS), 28% of the state is currently experiencing some level of drought with 21% in the Moderate Drought category, 5% in a Severe Drought, and 30% of Colorado is Abnormally Dry. The map featured above shows the drought conditions on January 30.
As of February 5, cumulative precipitation in the Colorado River watershed was tracking at 113% of average and the South Platte River watershed was tracking at 86% of average. Snowpack in the Colorado River is tracking at 98% of normal and is tracking at 106% of normal in the South Platte River watershed. Denver Water’s reservoir totals are 87% full and were 85% full this time last year.
Statewide snowpack is at 93 percent of median as of February 6.
Percent of median by river basin:
Yampa and White: 96
Upper Colorado: 100
Laramie and North Platte: 91
South Platte: 94
Gunnison: 95
Arkansas: 91
Upper Rio Grande: 80
San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan: 84