When Colorado enjoys above-average mountain snowpack, the map of alpine basins provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service is bathed in soothing colors like blue, green and purple.
Of the eight main watersheds measured by NRCS, only the Upper Rio Grande (at 33 percent of normal) is currently drier than here in the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan river drainages, where mountain snowpack remains a meager 35 percent of normal.
In year-to-date precipitation, though, the Four Corners region is Colorado’s most parched, having welcomed only 29 percent of normal rain and snow compared to 64 percent statewide.
According to the Department of Agriculture’s drought monitor, the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas and San Juan watersheds officially moved from “moderate drought” to “severe drought” on Jan. 2.
NRCS puts in writing what skiers and snowboarders might have guessed: “The majority of storm events reaching the state have skirted the southwest basins almost entirely.” It’s too early for meteorologists to determine how hazardous the 2018 forest fire season might be.
If there’s any good news in the latest NRCS report, it’s that Colorado reservoirs remain full.
All state watersheds currently boast above-average storage volumes, with the combined San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, and San Juan basins checking in at 104 percent of average.
Meanwhile, Colorado Ski Country USA, which represents 23 resorts, recorded 13 percent fewer visits at its member operations from the beginning of ski season through Dec. 31.
“Our agreement with the water district allows us to make snow until Feb. 23,” Telski CEO Bill Jensen said.
“I consider 2017-18 an anomaly that should only happen every 20 years,” Jensen added.