We Are Colorado WaterWiseAddressing the state's water challenges by improving water efficiency through diverse community connections, innovative solutions and valuable member resources |
47% | of the state is in drought |
2023 was a good year for Colorado soils, rivers, wildlife...and us, too. 2024 is starting with a dry, windy winter. The importance of being good stewards of our water and continuing to do what we can to conserve water. Remember, one good water year does not make up for years of drought and climate aridification.
The U.S. Drought Monitor releases a map every Thursday showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The Drought Monitor has been a team effort since its inception in 1999, produced jointly by the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Follow the link on the left for the current Colorado drought map. |
Local drought response may be triggered by any number of things depending on the characteristics of that water system: stream levels or soil moisture or water storage thresholds, just to name a few. Local governments and water providers may also respond to drought in different ways, including but not limited to watering restrictions. Check with your provider to learn about their drought plan and current restrictions.
The Colorado State University Climate Center is a one-stop-shop for drought information. Find data on precipitation, soil moisture, temperature, reservoir storage levels and more. Follow the link on the left. |
NWCC routinely surveys Colorado's snowpack. Here is most up-to-date Snow Water Equivalent map, based on mountain data from NWCC SNOTEL sites. Follow the link to view Snow Water Equivalent in the State of Colorado graph. |