![]() ![]() The utility also gets information about the snowpack from planes surveying its collection system using high-tech equipment. ![]() ![]() “When the soil moisture is in good shape, it means more water will flow into rivers and streams instead of being absorbed by dry ground,” he said.ĭenver Water monitors snowpack throughout the winter season, using monthly measurements gathered by crews on the ground and daily reports from automated weather stations. He’s also encouraged by the fact that soil moisture for the state is the best it’s been in eight years. Elder said he’s cautiously optimistic the reservoirs will fill when the snow melts in the spring due to the snowpack so far. See how Denver Water monitors the snowpack from the air, on the ground and by using automated weather stations.ĭenver Water’s reservoir storage stood at 82% full heading into February, which is average for this time of year. “That’s why we constantly monitor the mountain snowpack and adjust our water planning accordingly.” , and one rotary snow plow for the Denver & Rio Grande & Western. “As a water planner, it would be nice to have a steady, predictable snowpack season, but weather doesn’t work that way and each year plays out differently,” Elder said. a small decline from the October totals, operations running at about 73.75. And that’s what we’re seeing so far this year,” Elder said.Įlder said this year the snowfall in the mountains has been steady since November 2022, compared with last winter, which will be remembered for having only a couple big storms that hit over the holiday season and ended up providing the bulk of the entire season’s total snowfall. That way if one area is having a down year, hopefully things are better in another area. “The difference in snowpack is why Denver Water has built a large collection system spread across several counties. Seven SNOTEL stations in the area of the South Platte River Basin where Denver Water collects water are tracking below normal (the blue line) so far this season. ![]()
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