The #heatwave during March 2026 was unprecedented in the western U.S. temperature records since 1895. March 2026 average temperatures shattered records in Colorado (by 4.3ºF), Utah (by 5.5ºF), and Wyoming (by 2ºF).
Learn more: wwa.colorado.edu/resources/in... @cires.colorado.edu
In Colorado, seasonal #streamflow volume forecasts suggest 20-40% of average runoff for all major river basins. In Utah, forecasts suggest 10-40% of average runoff for all major river basins. In Wyoming, forecasts were more variable.
Learn more: wwa.colorado.edu/resources/in... @cires.colorado.edu
Western Water Assessment
Western Water Assessment
WWA's latest rapid assessment is on the 2025-2026 extreme #snowdrought in CO, UT, and WY. The assessment covers the magnitude of extreme low snow-water equivalent (SWE) conditions in early 2026, likely causes of the snow drought, and more.
wwa.colorado.edu/resources/ha... @cires.colorado.edu
June 1 regional seasonal #streamflow volume forecasts were less than 50% of average for all river basins except the Wind (93%), Shoshone (87%), Yellowstone (80%), Snake (73%), and Bighorn (61%) River Basins.
Learn more: wwa.colorado.edu/resources/in... @cires.colorado.edu
Western Water Assessment
Western Water Assessment
NEW — @wwanews.bsky.social's report on the 2025-2026 Extreme Snow Drought in the Intermountain West provides information about likely causes of the snow drought, early impacts from record low regional snow-water equivalent, and more!
wwa.colorado.edu/resources/ha...
Ash and sediment from #wildfires can contaminate Colorado's long-term reservoir storage. "Not just for one year or two years, but sometimes for up to eight years," said Ben Livneh, CIRES fellow and @wwanews.bsky.social director, on Denver7 News.
www.denver7.com/news/environ...
“Ultimately, it's going to take relatively, perhaps even draconian cuts in water (use)... unless there's some major change in how we think about the system operating,” said Seth Arens, a hydrologist at the @wwanews.bsky.social on Aspen Public Radio.
www.aspenpublicradio.org/environment/...
“I think Front Range cities will be asked, whether nicely or not, to reduce their Colorado River diversions,” said Jeff Lukas, a water consultant and former @wwanews.bsky.social and CIRES scientist.
sentinelcolorado.com/metro/colora...
CIRES
CIRES
Denver Water and Aurora Water have imposed stage-one drought watering restrictions, but others have not.
sentinelcolorado.com
The Bureau of Reclamation announced plans to release water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and to reduce flows out of Glen Canyon Dam on Lake Powell in an attempt to prop up the Colorado River Basin’s…
www.aspenpublicradio.org
With snowpack at 40% of normal, a CU Boulder hydrologist explains why this year’s snow drought stands out and what it could mean for the Colorado River Basin.
Aurora Water warns that leftover ash and sediment from wildfires can contaminate reservoirs and reduce storage capacity - even years after the flames are out.
“The notion that a wet April, May, June, might save us is quickly leaving the building,” said Nels Bjarke, a research scientist with @wwanews.bsky.social and CIRES.
www.kjzz.org/science/2026...
CIRES
Arizona's water supply could face major cutbacks on the heels of an exceptionally hot, dry winter in the Rocky Mountains.
