SNOFLO


       
       

COLORADO RESERVOIR LEVELS

March 30 2025
       

Colorado's network of reservoirs and dams is experiencing a mix of conditions as of the last observations in March 2025, signaling an ongoing water management crisis for the region. Notably, major reservoirs such as Dillon and Granby are reporting storage levels significantly below their historical averages, with Dillon at 206,338 acre-feet compared to an average of 232,383.34 acre-feet, and Granby at 344,237 acre-feet versus its 384,256.15 acre-feet average. Conversely, Pueblo Reservoir near Pueblo is above its average, recording 255,306 acre-feet against an average of 171,497.62 acre-feet. The abnormal conditions observed at these and other reservoirs, such as the drastically low current measurement for Teller Reservoir and the high storage levels at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir, can be at least partly attributed to the variable snowpack levels in Colorado's southern mountains, which have been described as "dismal," and the broader issues of prolonged drought and climate change affecting the Colorado River Basin.

The challenges facing these water bodies are compounded by broader environmental and policy issues. The Colorado River's diminishing water supplies have been a subject of concern, as highlighted by low reservoir levels and studies indicating a "crisis endures" due to overallocation and climate change effects. Tensions over water allocations are evident, with Mexico's request for Colorado River water being denied, raising questions about future negotiations. These regional water challenges are not occurring in isolation, as evidenced by record-breaking floods in Texas, highlighting the increasing volatility of water sources in the Western United States. Local efforts, including the first year of fallowing programs aimed at conserving water, are under scrutiny to determine their effectiveness amid these pressing conditions. As such, Colorado's water reservoirs serve as a critical barometer for broader water resource issues in the American West, reflecting a complex interplay of natural variability, human demand, and changing climate patterns.

Reservoirs & Dams