Pueblo, Colorado – Snowpack in the Arkansas River Basin has dropped to 42% of median, intensifying drought concerns along US-50 and I-25 across southern Colorado.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows drought conditions expanding across south-central and southeast Colorado. Current snowpack levels are tracking near aggregated historical lows in multiple basins.
As of February 11, statewide snowpack sits at 53% of median. The Arkansas Basin has fallen to 42% of median, down from 48% on February 1 and significantly below the 96% median recorded at this time last year. The Upper Rio Grande Basin is at 45% of median.
The Drought Monitor classifies portions of the region in D4 Exceptional Drought, including northeast Lake County. D3 Extreme Drought covers parts of Lake and Chaffee counties. D2 Severe Drought stretches across central Lake County and portions of Chaffee, Mineral, Costilla, Huerfano, and Las Animas counties.
Communities along Interstate 25 from Pueblo to Trinidad and along U.S. Highway 50 through Salida and Canon City remain within drought-affected areas.
Low snowpack can reduce spring runoff, impacting municipal water supplies, agriculture, and wildfire risk later this year. Reservoir recharge across southern Colorado depends heavily on late winter and early spring snowfall.
Water managers and agricultural producers will closely monitor conditions heading into peak snow accumulation months.
The update may affect farmers, ranchers, and water users preparing for the upcoming irrigation season.
