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Drought Status

The image displays a weather map of Colorado, showing varying conditions indicated by color codes around Denver.
The image shows drought categories in Colorado, with 39.8% abnormally dry and a total of 27.3% experiencing moderate to extreme drought.

According to the November 28 update from the  National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), 27% of the state is currently experiencing some level of drought with 19% in the Moderate Drought category, 6% in Severe Drought, and 40% of Colorado is Abnormally Dry. The map featured above shows the drought conditions on August 29.

As of November 13, cumulative precipitation in the Colorado River watershed was tracking at 89% of average and the South Platte River watershed was tracking at 61% of average. Snowpack in the Colorado River is tracking at 70% of normal and is tracking at 51% of normal in the South Platte River watershed.

Denver Water’s supply reservoir contents as of November 13 are represented in the table below. Reservoir totals are 87% full and were 85% full this time last year.

Reservoir Percent Full: Current Percent Full: Historical Median
Antero 96% 100%
Eleven Mile 102% 102%
Cheesman 86% 95%
Marston 76% 63%
Strontia Springs 87% 93%
Chatfield 92% 58%
Dillon 88% 98%
Gross 46% 84%
Ralston 87% 87%
Meadow Creek 45% 77%

The district will continue to work with Denver Water on monitoring the watersheds and will provide updates to our customers through our website and social media channels.

As of December 4 statewide snowpack is 85 percent of median.

Map showing Colorado's current Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) as a percentage of normal, with varying levels across regions.
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