During the past two weeks, hot, sunny, and windy weather has caused snow water equivalent (SWE) to significantly decrease at every SNOTEL site in the Roaring Fork Watershed, bringing snowpack to 86% of normal for this time of year. The most notable SWE decreases were at McClure Pass (10.3” decrease), Nast Lake (9.2” decrease), North Lost Trail (9.1” decrease), and Schofield Pass (6.8” decrease). These sites range from 8,700-10,700 ft. in elevation, indicating that snowmelt is underway at both low and high elevations. Consequently, local rivers that were flowing mostly below average a week ago are now flowing well above average (141-169% of normal).

Stream flow, diversion and reservoir data acquired from U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Colorado Division of Water Resources, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Roaring Fork Watershed stream gages: www.roaringfork.org/your-watershed/river-flow/

Colorado drought conditions: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu