Weekly Snowpack Report
April 30, 2026 -
Summary:
Several storms moved through the Roaring Fork Watershed over the last week, delivering much needed snow and rain. Precipitation totals since Sunday measured: 0.88” at Aspen Airport, 0.95” in Redstone, and 0.73” at Hooks Bridge (Emma). While still below average, the Roaring Fork Watershed received more precipitation in April than any other month in this water year (since October 2025). Even with this welcomed moisture, critical drought conditions persist across the watershed, and snowpack remains historically low at 19% of normal for this time of year. Current SWE conditions are where they would historically be at the end of May. Releases from Ruedi Reservoir increased by 130 cfs this past Friday, as a call was placed by the Grand Valley Canal in the Grand Junction area. The lower Fryingpan River is now flowing 202 cfs. Local rivers are flowing a wide-ranging 21-92% of normal for this time of year.
Calling All River Users to Protect Waterways from New Threats
It is time for every water user to take seriously their role in being a river steward. After you fish, boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY all your gear. Every time. Yes, really, every time.
Winter Ecological Flow Releases to begin December 22
Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) has partnered with the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Town of Basalt, Basalt Water Conservancy District, and Colorado Water Conservation Board to increase winter flows on the lower Fryingpan River to minimize formation and mitigate impacts of anchor ice, a supercooled ice that forms on the bottom of streams, on aquatic life.
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