SNOFLO
 


       
       

COLORADO RESERVOIR LEVELS

April 6 2025
       

Colorado's dams and reservoirs play a critical role in water storage and management across the state. As of the latest observations dated April 6, 2025, there is a mixture of above and below-average storage levels that could indicate abnormal conditions for some facilities. For example, Pueblo Reservoir near Pueblo is holding significantly more water than its average (249,990 acre-feet current vs. 171,528.46 acre-feet average), whereas Granby Reservoir has less water than typical for this time of year (345,346 acre-feet current vs. 384,245.55 acre-feet average). Other reservoirs such as Trinidad Lake and Rifle Gap Reservoir report water surface elevations above their averages, which could be due to recent precipitation or snowmelt patterns. However, Dillon Reservoir and Green Mountain Reservoir are notably below their average storage levels, potentially indicating reduced inflows or higher withdrawals. These discrepancies in storage and surface elevations could be related to variations in snowpack levels, river flows, and regional water usage demands.

Abnormal conditions in reservoir levels can have multiple causes, including climate variability and management practices. For instance, while the snowpack is reportedly at 90% of normal levels, suggesting an adequate water supply from snowmelt, other factors might be impacting reservoir levels. Regulatory changes and environmental policy shifts, as noted by various news sources, could be affecting water allocation and storage practices. The halt on the Gross Reservoir expansion, for instance, reflects ongoing legal and environmental challenges that can influence the state's overall water storage capacity. Meanwhile, cross-border water tensions and commitments, such as the US denying Mexico's water request, highlight the complex interplay of international agreements and local water needs. The observed conditions in Colorado's reservoirs underscore the importance of adaptive water management strategies in the face of changing climate patterns and socio-political pressures on water resources.

Reservoirs & Dams