Water supply forecast brightens thanks to March snowstorm

(COLORADO) — Those concerned about our water supply can breathe a sigh of relief, as the statewide water supply forecast is finally at normal levels.

In its April report, the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) said that new data shows as of the beginning of March, our statewide snowpack was below average. This was concerning because a low snowpack can mean a water supply deficit especially when we have a very dry fall, like we saw in Fall 2023. However, as of April 1, the data showed that our supply dramatically improved, in part, due to one snowstorm that brought us feet of snow.

The snowstorm that hit the state between March 13 and March 14 dumped several feet of snow in the mountains and lower elevations increasing our snowpack dramatically, according to NRCS.

In some places, we went from 80 to 90% of normal for snowpack to more than 100% of normal for snow levels and 90% of normal in reservoir storage thanks to the one storm.

So, as of April 1, our water supply forecast is now at normal levels.

The NRCS says that water supply now looks promising and that streamflow and mountain runoff should be at normal levels as long as weather patterns do not change dramatically.

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