COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Part of the state of Colorado is worried about flooding, and the other part is in a severe drought. So what does that mean for our summer water levels?
In a banner La Nina year, the northern and central mountain ranges of Colorado have seen abundant snow, with areas around Steamboat Springs concerned about flooding in the early summer. However, a drought is intensifying on the plains, with more than 10,000 acres burned in wildfires by late spring.
Fortunately for the urban corridor, the water levels and reservoir storage capacities are largely dependent on the mountain snowpack. Reservoir storage is near normal and hopefully will stay that way, accommodating for expected increased water usage on the plains.
Most river basin
s and snowpack storage levels are running above average. The North Platte and Yampa basins are seeing the highest percentage of normal, while the Dolores and Upper Rio Grande are actually below normal, but not critical.
La Nina weather patterns are the culprit for the snow discrepancy. La Nina, or abnormal cooling in the waters in the Pacific, tend to drive weather patterns northward, keeping southern areas dry. Throughout the spring, the southern plains of Colorado have stayed almost completely dry and very windy, enhancing the drought. Parts of the plains are now in a severe drought.
The Front Range gets water from the mountains. So even though the plains have been dangerously dry, water levels should remain healthy. However,Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) cautions about getting too excited. Weather patterns can change quickly, and with an expected increase in water usage, restriction are not out of the question.
Right now, local reservoirs are at about 80 percent of average, which is considered very healthy. But CSU said water usage on the plains has increased earlier than expected, which will strain water availability.
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