In the part of the Upper Colorado River Basin where Denver Water collects water, 28% of the total snowfall fell between Dec. The storms around the winter holiday season were critical to the overall snowpack. Then January and February were mostly dry in the mountains, but the spring saw a more active weather pattern.
The mountains got a big boost at the end of December when several feet of snow fell over a two-week period. Learn how the runoff season is critical to the water supply for 1.5 million people across Denver.Įlder said the 2021-22 snow season started slowly, with very little moisture in October, November and early December. During the drought years of 2001-2002, the snowpack in the South Platte peaked at just 50% of normal. Snowpack levels vary from year to year, and there have been some extremes over the years.įor example, during the winter of 1996-97, the snowpack in the South Platte River Basin where Denver Water captures its water peaked at 203% of normal. The water is used by 1.5 million people across the metro area who are served by Denver Water. Peak snowpack numbers are important for Denver Water because it helps the utility’s planning team estimate how much water will end up in its reservoirs when the snow melts in the coming weeks. Snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin peaked for the 2021-22 season on May 3, 2022, when it hit 87% of average.
The snowpack in Denver Water’s two collection areas hit its peak for 2022 in late April and early May, at 71% of average on April 26 in the Upper South Platte River Basin and at 87% of average on May 3 in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Right now, Elder said, Denver Water doesn’t expect to add additional watering restrictions beyond the up to three times a week during cooler hours that are standard practice for the utility’s customers.īut with an underwhelming snowpack, he and other planners will be watching supplies carefully and could change course if needed. Abiding by our watering rules is the smart thing to do given Colorado’s arid climate.”Ĭan you list the seven key points of Denver Water’s annual summer watering rules? Click here to see how you scored. People can ease their lawns out of winter dormancy with some watering in May, starting slowly. “We’ve seen people turn on sprinklers here in late April. A below-average snowpack is a reminder to all of us that we should always use water wisely,” said Nathan Elder, manager of water supply for Denver Water. “It’s critical that customers follow our summer watering rules, which begin May 1. This year’s snowpack didn’t rate an A+, but B’s and C’s are still passing grades.Įven with a late-season surge of snow in Colorado’s high country, the mountain snowpack in Denver Water’s two collection areas for the 2021-22 season peaked below average.
The samples are used to assess how much water is in the mountain snowpack. Left to right, Denver Water’s Rob Krueger, a facility supervisor, Jay Joslyn, a facility operator, and Adam Clark, a senior utility technician, calculate the density of a snow sample collected near Winter Park on April 28, 2022.
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