Low water levels Aug. 18 at Dillon Reservoir expose sand rings around the lake's islands.

Dillon Reservoir water levels hold on despite statewide drought

Amid one of the hottest summers on record for Colorado, Dillon Reservoir is 94% full, nearly 5 feet below its capacity. This level of drought has been manageable this year for Denver Water partly because of the 2018-19 winter.

Climate change reducing Colorado River runoff

By Kurt Repanshek, National Parks Traveler By mid-century, annual runoff into the Colorado River could be reduced by nearly a third as declining snowpack leads...

Human emissions are helping fuel the Southwest’s epic drought

Three studies of the Pacific Ocean conclude that lower precipitation isn’t just due to natural causes

Dropping reservoirs create ‘green light’ for sustainability on Colorado River

Dropping reservoir levels have opened a window of opportunity for water-management policies that move the river system toward sustainability.

Photos: Colorado snow drought 2025-2026

This page in our free multimedia library features photos of the low snowpack in Colorado's Rocky Mountains during the 2025-2026 snow drought. This collection includes...

Rain or snow? Observers help scientists understand wintry weather

With a free app, volunteers gather crucial data on what type of precipitation is falling

Basin roundtables push back on Colorado Water Conservation Board’s proposed code of conduct

The state water board is encouraging roundtables to adopt a code of conduct, but some Western Slope roundtables are pushing back.
Ute Water Assistant Manager Greg Williams shows a map where the domestic water provider plans to build Buzzard Creek Reservoir and Owens Creek Reservoir. Cities, conservancy districts, energy companies and private citizens have conditional water rights to build 99 new reservoirs over 5,000 acre-feet on the Western Slope. Photo by William Woody

Colorado has big dreams to use more water from the Colorado River. But will...

The site where Ute Water plans to build Owens Creek Reservoir at 8,200 feet on the Grand Mesa was snow covered by mid-November. The...

With wildfire-prevention work, Flagstaff seeks to avoid the next devastating flood

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Five large wildfires have burned tens of thousands of acres in the forests around this northern Arizona city in the last...

Can New Mexico’s Ancient Water System Survive Climate Change?

Traditional irrigation canals, or acequias, could help balance the water supply during droughts — if they are protected.