Colorado’s snowpack levels were observed rebounding from near-historic lows after late holiday storms delivered smatterings of moisture to higher elevations across the state.
As of Jan. 8, the statewide snowpack stood at 95 percent of the 30-year median, according to data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) — an improvement from weeks earlier when those levels tracked significantly lower.
Snowpack levels are monitored by measuring snow water equivalents, which gauge how much water is held within a snowfield, and are significant predictors of springtime runoff.
Regionally, NRCS measurements show there’s still some ground to make up.
The San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, San Juan River basins were measured to be at 84 percent of its 30-year median snowpack as of Jan. 8.
Individual local levels were slightly lower, with the Upper San Juan area at 73 percent of its median snowpack, the Piedra area at 79 percent, and the Conejos area at 60 percent of its median.
As of Jan. 8, 45 inches of snow were measured atop the Wolf Creek summit, which sits at 68 percent of its median snowpack, according to the NRCS.
Forecast at a glance
Snow levels are expected to increase — albeit slightly — in the coming days, according to forecasts released by the National Weather Service (NWS).
After additional accumulations earlier in the week, “A potentially more impactful storm is expected Saturday and Sunday with measurable snowfall for the Northern and Central Colorado mountains,” the report states. “Lack of moisture will keep new accumulations under 4 inches for the most part. Cold air and steep lapse rates will contribute to a few over-performing showers in the Flat Tops, Central Mountains, and, to a lesser extent, the San Juans.”
Local meteorologist Shawn Prochazka called for snow showers of up to 1 inch across the mountains through Sunday, with light dustings falling near Pagosa.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Archuleta County is considered “Abnormally Dry” as of Jan. 1.
River flows
The San Juan River was flowing at a rate of 42.9 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Pagosa Springs as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Based on 89 years of water records, the median flow for the same date is 54 cfs, with a record high flow of 112 cfs in 1987. The lowest recorded flow for the date is 28 cfs in 1990.
The Piedra River near Arboles was frozen as of 9:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Based on 62 years of water records, the median flow for the same date is 67 cfs, with a recorded high of 167 cfs recorded in 1987. The record low was recorded in 2003 at 24.4 cfs.
garrett@pagosasun.com
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