Caption + Show MoreShow Less More than half of Colorado remains in the grip of drought classified as severe to exceptional , and the state would need more snow than this winter’s predicted El Niño is likely to deliver to provide much relief, scientists say.
About 83 percent is in some stage of drought and 13.35 percent of the state, mostly in the southwest corner, is in exceptional drought.
+3 Caption + Show MoreShow Less Stream flows in the southwest portion of the state also are much below normal, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Thirteen streamflow stations between Mesa and Archuleta counties were reported as much below normal compared to historic levels, three as below normal and five as normal.
The dearth of water is obvious in Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Colorado.
The data paints an even more startling picture: the reservoir is at 43 percent of its average capacity recorded between 1985 and 2016.
+3 Caption + Show MoreShow Less Downstream, Lake Powell made headlines earlier this year when it dropped to less than half full.
This year was the second driest year on record for the major reservoir in Arizona, lagging just behind 2002.
To fully lift the Four Corners out of the drought by June, the region would need to receive 173 percent of normal precipitation, NOAA models show.
+3 Caption + Show MoreShow Less "We entered winter a bit early" Fontenot said.