Colorado River basin reports declining snowpack and below normal streamflow forecasts

The Colorado Water Conservation Board convened on May 22, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding the state's water conditions, focusing on precipitation levels, soil moisture, reservoir storage, and streamflow forecasts. The meeting highlighted ongoing challenges in managing Colorado's water resources amid fluctuating weather patterns.

Statewide precipitation has been recorded at 87% of the median, with some regions, particularly in the Eastern Mountains, experiencing slightly better conditions compared to the Western Mountains. While May has brought localized improvements in precipitation, many mountain basins remain below normal levels. Notably, the Colorado headwaters and the Yampa and White River basins have not benefited significantly from recent rainfall, raising concerns about water availability as the summer approaches.

Soil moisture levels have shown improvement, particularly at the 8-inch sensor depth, due to snowpack melting. However, the 20-inch sensor readings indicate less consistent moisture levels across various basins, particularly in the southern regions. This discrepancy raises questions about the overall moisture availability in those areas.

Reservoir storage across the state stands at 92% of the median, with most basins nearing normal levels. However, the combined San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, and San Juan basins are notably below normal, prompting concerns about water supply in these regions. Over the past two months, reservoir storage has declined by 2%, indicating a need for careful monitoring as runoff begins.

Streamflow forecasts have also taken a downturn, with predictions indicating below-normal runoff for many basins. The rapid melting of snowpack and insufficient precipitation have contributed to this decline. The board anticipates that the upcoming June 1 forecasts may reflect these challenges, particularly for the San Miguel and San Juan basins, which are expected to remain significantly below normal.

In summary, the meeting underscored the ongoing water management challenges facing Colorado as the state navigates below-average precipitation and declining snowpack levels. The board will continue to monitor these conditions closely, with the next set of forecasts expected to provide further insights into the state's water outlook as summer approaches.