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DENVER — From the Colorado office of the United States Department of Agriculture:

“May 5th, 2016 – For the first time during 2016, statewide snowpack improved over the previous month as opposed to the declines that have occurred each month since January 1st. April weather conditions yielded a seven percent improvement in snowpack, which now stands at 104 percent of normal. Mountain precipitation across the state of Colorado during April was the best of the 2016 calendar year, at 110 percent of normal.

“Now water year-to-date precipitation is exactly at 100 percent of normal. Brian Domonkos, Colorado Snow Survey Supervisor, illustrates how fortunate the Colorado water situation is, “At this time last year the water supply outlook was grim at best. Colorado’s current snowpack and precipitation levels are right where we want to be this time of year. Elsewhere in the Western United States seasonal snowpack during 2016 succumbed to early spring warming and did not recover as Colorado did from recent storms.

“The seven major mountain watersheds in Colorado all received 90 percent of normal April precipitation or better. Special mention is warranted in the Arkansas, Upper Rio Grande and combined Yampa, White and North Platte Basins, because these areas received 120 percent of normal or better precipitation.

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“Statewide reservoir totals increased one percent since April 1st ending the month at 112 percent of normal, with declines occurring in the Rio Grande, Arkansas and combined Yampa, White and North Platte watersheds.”

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All of this is good news.  Lawns are green and drought concerns, at this point, are minimal.  However, as we have already seen signs of at times, flooding might become a concern as temperatures warm with the approaching summer months.  

If we see a rapid and consistent warm-up over the next few weeks, snowpack melting will increase dramatically.  During that time frame of peak runoff, if we have a multiday stretch of soaking rain, flooding issues will likely arise.

Most flood guages are well below flood stage (green dots) A few in Wyoming and one in Colorado are high (yellow and orange dots). La Poudre River near flood stage 5/18 from a day of light rain combining with runoff from melting high country snow.
Most flood guages are well below flood stage (green dots) A few in Wyoming and one in Colorado are high (yellow and orange dots). La Poudre River near flood stage 5/18 from a day of light rain combining with runoff from melting high country snow.

 

If you would like to stay ahead of any flood potential as we push from spring through summer, take a look at the Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin’s Flood Threat Outlook every week or two.  

There, they highlight specifically which days flooding could be a threat and the level of that threat, for a two week forecast period.  

This is a great time to keep your flood safety tips top of mind.  Remember to never drive across water covered roadways.  It is very hard to gauge how deep water is when it is covering a roadway, especially at night.  

It is worth your time to turn around and find an alternate route.  Always turn around, don’t drown.  Also, keep little ones from playing around or in low lying drainage areas, with a bigger emphasis on that rule during or after rainfall.