Colorado Reservoirs Are Filling Fast

Colorado's reservoirs are at, or above, average levels for the first time in years.

The record-setting snowpack ended the Colorado drought. The only remaining question was, "Would it be enough to refill Colorado's reservoirs?" It appears it has. According to a recent report from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, it shows the state's reservoirs at 105% of average. In comparison, the reservoirs were only 92% of average this time a year ago.

As the runoff continues, more than half of Colorado's 11 reservoirs are already full. The lake levels should continue to rise through July as there's still higher elevation snow on the ground. For a map of the current Colorado Reservoir Storage Summary, click HERE.

Southwestern Colorado is seeing the biggest improvements in their water storage levels. Most were hammered last summer by both the drought and several wildfires. The San Juan Reservoir is finally full once again. That's good news and nearly double where the lake was a year ago. See a comparative graph of Colorado's water storage levels HERE.

The importance of Colorado’s reservoir system can't be overstated. The Colorado watershed provides drinking and agricultural water for states on both sides of the divide including Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona to the west and Kansas and Oklahoma to the east.

Credit: The Denver Post