` Colorado Officials Sound Alarm Over Major Reservoir—Conditions ‘Worst In 50 Years’ - Ruckus Factory

Colorado Officials Sound Alarm Over Major Reservoir—Conditions ‘Worst In 50 Years’

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In January 2026, Colorado faces a record-breaking snow drought, with snowpack levels in the Dillon Reservoir watershed plunging to just 46% of the historical average. While comprehensive statewide SNOTEL records began in 1987, Denver Water’s monitoring of the Dillon watershed dates back to 1978—making this the worst snowpack in nearly 50 years of record-keeping for this critical reservoir.

The bare peaks of Summit County signal a looming water crisis. Denver Water warns that conditions are unusually severe, with 1.5 million residents in the metro area dependent on snowmelt that has been dramatically delayed. Will Colorado see relief, or are these troubling trends here to stay?

Record Low Alert

Free stock photo of aesthetic beauty, alpine lake, aspen trees
Photo by Jeff Wiles on Pexels

Colorado’s snowpack is now at only 63% of the median, with the critical Colorado River headwaters at an alarming 58%. Warm and dry conditions have already delayed ski season openings, and anxiety over water shortages is mounting.

This winter is proving to be the driest in decades for the Denver metro area, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for residents and agriculture alike.

Reservoir Legacy

Dillon Reservoir from the Ptarmigan Peak Trail in late August
Photo by Mcphail492 on Wikimedia

Dillon Reservoir, a critical water source for Denver, stores snowmelt from the surrounding mountain ranges, providing the lion’s share of water for 1.5 million residents. Built in 1963, it captures Blue River flows.

Historically, snowpack from February to April provides the majority of water flowing into the reservoir. But this year, the snowpack is worryingly low, threatening to disrupt this vital supply.

Warmth Builds Pressure

Dillon Reservoir as seen from Buffalo Mountain
Photo by Runningonbrains on Wikimedia

Colorado experienced its fourth-warmest September-November period on record, with November marking the third-warmest month. These unseasonably warm temperatures delayed snow accumulation, with regions like Gunnison seeing only 63% of typical snowpack for this time of year.

Climatologists warn that this will only worsen as the winter progresses, leaving Colorado’s water systems under unprecedented pressure.

Worst Since 1987

Dillon Reservoir
Photo by jimmy thomas from Seattle on Wikimedia

Denver Water reports that the snowpack feeding Dillon Reservoir is at a record-low 46% of average. This represents significantly below-average snow water equivalent compared to typical levels expected at this time of year.

The situation is so dire that parts of Dillon Reservoir remained unfrozen by mid-January 2026, a stark visual reminder of the region’s severe drought conditions.

Metro Water Threat

Denver skyline from I-25 and Speer Blvd Photographer Matt Wright Date March 26 2006 Camera Canon EOS Rebel XT
Photo by MattWright assumed based on copyright claims on Wikimedia

Dillon Reservoir’s water supply serves the Denver metro area, and right now, reservoir levels remain near normal capacity. But the looming danger lies in the delayed snowmelt; a shortfall in February through April could lead to water restrictions, with devastating consequences for local communities.

Denver Water’s preparations are critical in managing this shortfall before it worsens.

Water Managers Urge Action

Dillon Reservoir
Photo by jimmy thomas from Seattle on Wikimedia

As the snowpack falters, the future of Denver’s water supply is in jeopardy. With 1.5 million residents relying on snowmelt runoff for their water, water managers are urging communities in Jefferson and Arapahoe counties to act now, transforming their landscapes to be more drought-resistant.

These proactive measures could be key to mitigating the effects of an impending water shortage.

Statewide Strain

Vue panoramique du Lac Powell
Photo by Jean Christophe BENOIST on Wikimedia

Across Colorado, other utilities are watching Lake Powell’s low storage levels with increasing concern. The Arkansas Basin is reporting snowpack levels at just 50% of normal, creating significant challenges for agriculture and other water users downstream.

Denver Water is collaborating with regional partners to address the worsening drought and its impact on the state’s critical water systems.

Climate Patterns Emerge

Dillon Reservoir
Photo by jimmy thomas from Seattle on Wikimedia

The pattern of snow droughts is worsening globally, with other regions like the Sierra Nevada also experiencing lagging snowfalls in 2025-2026. Colorado’s median snowpack in April typically reaches 16.7 inches of snow water equivalent, but this year, the state is far behind.

Warming temperatures continue to amplify these early dry spells, pushing snow shortages into full-scale drought conditions.

Record Lows Hit

Another vacation picture from the archives and my old camera that I was able to bring to life with Topaz filters I m really missing mountains but with the Oregon snowpack still rated as 140 of normal for this time of year not to mention 63 inches of rain so far in Salem this weather year I m not getting heading for the hills yet
Photo by Sheila Sund from Salem United States on Wikimedia

Throughout winter 2025-26, Colorado’s snowpack has repeatedly reached the “zeroth percentile”—the worst on record—with multiple days at this unprecedented level dating back to late November. This critical condition is a major red flag for water managers, as it signals that Colorado’s snowpack is in severe deficit, and dry spells are only expected to worsen.

With diminishing snowfall, recovery seems increasingly unlikely without significant intervention.

Managers Voice Concern

The sign at one of the entrances to Denver Water in Denver Colorado The sign says Denver Water 1600 West 12th Avenue
Photo by Jeffrey Beall on Wikimedia

Denver Water’s Nathan Elder emphasized the critical importance of the coming months, stating that February, March, and April will determine whether any recovery is possible. The lack of forecast moisture has heightened concerns as the utility works to manage the situation, but the window for recovery is narrowing daily.

Without substantial snowfalls in the coming months, the drought conditions could intensify significantly.

Strategic Planning Continues

Dillon Reservoir
Photo by jimmy thomas from Seattle on Wikimedia

Denver Water continues to advance its long-term water management strategies in response to evolving climate conditions. The utility’s management team remains focused on maintaining water supply reliability for the region.

The organization is dedicated to ensuring that, even amid challenging circumstances, the water supply for the region remains as stable as possible.

Past Rebounds Cited

Snow topped Utah s mountains while sunshine showed the stunning colors of the state s Colorado Plateau on March 9 2024 when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MODIS on NASA s Aqua satellite acquired this true-color image The first week of March came in like a lion with a storm dumping heavy snowfall across Utah s high elevations Another storm crossed the state during the second week adding to the snowpack On March 19 local news station KSL reported that Utah snowpack strong as spring begins and that the average amount of water in the snowpack across the state was about 26 percent above the 30-year average The United States Department of Agriculture noted that it was also 6 percent above the median peak snowpack The median peak snowpack is the average of every peak snowpack on record Those aren t final figures though as snowpack is considered to peak on April 3 in Utah
Photo by MODIS Land Rapid Response Team NASA GSFC on Wikimedia

Elder pointed to previous winters, such as 1999-2000 and 2012-2013, where the snowpack started slow but recovered with late snowfalls. However, he is also preparing for the possibility that this year might not follow that pattern.

Denver Water is emphasizing the need for conservation preparations now, urging residents to transform their landscapes to withstand drought conditions. While reservoirs currently remain near normal capacity, the future is uncertain.

Experts Cautious

Dillon Reservoir
Photo by Rennett Stowe from USA on Wikimedia

Experts like Peter Goble, assistant state climatologist, remain cautious, warning that conditions are likely to worsen before improvement. While some past winters rebounded from early low snowfalls, others, like 2011-2012, did not.

The data from SNOTEL stations across Colorado show that the snowpack deficit is growing rapidly, leading many to doubt that a recovery is even possible at this stage.

Spring Hope Fades?

SourceAdam Ginsburg Lake Dillon in Colorado
Photo by Keflavich assumed based on copyright claims on Wikimedia

Will late storms save Colorado’s water supply? Experts aren’t optimistic, as forecasts predict continued dry conditions through the end of January. Denver Water is monitoring the potential for snowpack recovery, but historical trends suggest that even late-season storms might not be enough to fully recover from such a severe early-season deficit.

The state’s snowmelt runoff could remain significantly below average, compounding the drought threat.

Policy Pressures Rise

Lake Dillon in October
Photo by Hogs555 on Wikimedia

The declining snowpack and water storage levels are raising questions about the Colorado River Compact, which governs water allocation for seven states in the West. Water managers are evaluating conservation measures similar to strategies used during past droughts.

Denver Water is working with regional partners to address the crisis as federal agencies raise warnings about snow shortages.

Basin Ripples Spread

The Colorado River is the principal river of the Southwestern United States and northwest Mexico The 1 450-mile 2 330 km river drains an expansive arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U S and two Mexican states Rising in the central Rocky Mountains in the U S the river flows generally southwest across the Colorado Plateau and through the Grand Canyon before reaching Lake Mead on the Arizona-Nevada line where it turns south toward the international border After entering Mexico the Colorado approaches the large Colorado River Delta where it naturally emptied into the Gulf of California between Baja California and Sonora though it no longer reaches its delta or the sea Known for its dramatic canyons and whitewater rapids the Colorado is a vital source of water for agricultural and urban areas in the southwestern desert lands of North America The river and its tributaries are controlled by an extensive system of dams reservoirs and aqueducts which divert 90 of its water in the U S alone to furnish irrigation and municipal water supply for almost 40 million people both inside and outside the watershed The Colorado s large flow and steep gradient are used for generating hydroelectric power and its major dams regulate peaking power demands in much of the Intermountain West Since the mid-20th century intensive water consumption has dried the lower 100 miles 160 km of the river such that it has not consistently reached the sea since the 1960s Europeans first entered the Colorado Basin in the 16th century when explorers from Spain began mapping and claiming the area which later became part of Mexico upon its independence in 1821 Early contact between foreigners and natives was generally limited to the fur trade in the headwaters and sporadic trade interactions along the lower river After the greater Colorado River basin became part of the U S in 1846 the bulk of the river s course was still largely the subject of myths and speculation Several expeditions charted the Colorado in the mid-19th century one of which led by John Wesley Powell in 1869 was the first to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon American explorers collected valuable information that would later be used to develop the river for navigation and water supply Large-scale settlement of the lower basin began in the mid- to late-19th century with steamboats providing transportation from the Gulf of California to landings along the Colorado River that linked to wagon roads into the interior of New Mexico Territory Lesser numbers settled in the upper basin which was the scene of major gold strikes in Arizona and Nevada in the 1860s and 1870s Major engineering of the river basin began around the start of the 20th century with many guidelines established in a series of domestic and international treaties known as the Law of the River The U S federal government was the main driving force behind the construction of hydraulic engineering projects in the river system although many state and local water agencies were also involved Most of the major dams in the river basin were built between 1910 and 1970 and the system keystone Hoover Dam was completed in 1935 The Colorado is now considered among the most controlled and litigated rivers in the world with every drop of its water fully allocated The damming and diversion of the Colorado River system have been flashpoint issues for the environmental movement in the American Southwest because of their impacts on the ecology and natural beauty of the river and its tributaries During the construction of Glen Canyon Dam environmental organizations vowed to block any further development of the river and a number of later dam and aqueduct proposals were defeated by citizen opposition As demands for Colorado River water continue to rise the level of human development and control of the river continues to generate controversy en wikipedia org wiki Colorado River en wikipedia org wiki Wikipedia Text of Creative Commons
Photo by Ken Lund from Reno Nevada USA on Wikimedia

The impacts of low snowpack extend beyond Colorado. The Colorado River headwaters basin, currently at 58% snowpack, is having a direct effect on neighboring states, particularly through its water supply to Lake Powell. Western states are watching the situation closely, as low inflows could lead to official shortage declarations.

Global snow trends reflect Colorado’s struggles, making the issue part of a much broader environmental crisis.

Environmental Warnings Amplify

Northeast aspect of Ice Mountain seen from Missouri Mountain Sawatch Range Colorado
Photo by Jeremiah LaRocco on Wikimedia

The lack of snowmelt threatens not only water supplies but also Colorado’s ecosystems. Unfrozen areas in Dillon Reservoir signal warmer winters that may disrupt ecosystems, leading to reduced agricultural yields, increased wildfire risks, and tree die-offs.

Climate scientists have documented connections between declining snowpacks and long-term warming trends driven by greenhouse gas emissions.

Cultural Shifts Brew

The sign at the entrance of Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Mesa County Colorado
Photo by Jeffrey Beall on Wikimedia

Ski resorts like Powderhorn are adapting to the changing environment by delaying openings and investing in snowmaking technologies. Water use and conservation concerns are beginning to redefine the way people live in the Rocky Mountains.

The impacts of this drought are contributing to shifts in how the region plans for future water use and sustainability.

What It Signals

Snow topped the high elevations across the American West on February 27 2025 when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MODIS on NASA s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image of the region For orientation Utah s bi-colored lake the Great Salt Lake remains ice-free near the center of the image Moving clockwise around Utah starting in the west other states visible are Nevada Idaho Montana in the far north Wyoming and Colorado On February 5 the National Integrated Drought Information System Drought gov reported that to that point snow drought continued in most of the West with record dryness in the Southwest Arizona Colorado Nevada New Mexico and Utah The snow drought deepened due to extremely dry conditions across most of the West in January Several substantial snow events in February improved conditions over most of the region with most areas reporting snowpack near median near the end of the month An updated report from Drought gov is expected in early January Meanwhile the site forecasts that are expected to persist through February-April 2025 59 chance A La Ni a pattern generally favors wetter conditions in the Northwest and drier conditions in the Southwest and normal to above-average temperatures
Photo by MODIS Land Rapid Response Team NASA GSFC on Wikimedia

The current snow drought in Colorado underscores the fragility of water-dependent ecosystems in the West. Denver Water’s warnings serve as a call to action for immediate policy changes and water conservation efforts.

Will the region find a way to recover, or is this the beginning of a new era of water scarcity for Colorado? Only time—and the next few months—will tell.

Sources:
CBS News Colorado, Worst snowpack on record could spell consequences in Colorado mountains, January 2026
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Season’s snowpack remains meager with little moisture in sight, January 18, 2026
Sky-Hi News, Colorado’s snowpack hits record-lows for three days straight, January 17, 2026
The Cool Down, The worst it’s been in more than half a century, January 2026
Denver Water, Dillon Reservoir fact sheet, Accessed January 2026
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Record Low Snowpack Observed Across Much of Colorado Heading into 2026, January 8, 2026