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Drought conditions have slipped back into southwestern Colorado, with abnormally dry conditions extending into the Upper Arkansas River Basin, and the National Weather Service three-month outlook projects above-normal temperatures through November and equal chances of normal precipitation for Colorado.  Precipitation
The CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow) Network reports the following precipitation amounts, in inches, for the month of July in the Arkansas River Basin in Colorado:
Reservoir Storage The Bureau of Reclamation reports that Pueblo Reservoir water levels dropped from 228,345 acre-feet at the end of July to 222,043 acre-feet (68.8% full) at the end of August. The Turquoise Lake water level dropped from 114,100 acre-feet to 94,100.5 acre-feet (72.7% full) in August. Twin Lakes Reservoir levels decreased in August, from 129,492 to 117,611acre-feet (83.4% full). The water level in John Martin Reservoir has dropped from 85,623 acre-feet at the end of July to a current level of 29,377 acre-feet. River Flows Over the past month, the Arkansas River flow near Leadville has dropped from 86.4 cfs to 21.9 cfs. Downstream, the gauge below Granite reads 376 cfs, and the Wellsville gauge near Salida currently reports 548 cfs. The flow at Cañon City is currently 565 cfs, and the flow Pueblo Reservoir is currently 244 cfs. The gauge near Avondale reports a flow of 372 cfs, and the gauge at Rocky Ford reads 379 cfs. The current reading below John Martin Reservoir is 519 cfs, and the flow at Lamar has dropped to 25.4 cfs. Calling Water Rights As mentioned in the River Report for July, Division 2 (Arkansas Basin) Engineer Rachel Zancanella reaching out to water stakeholders across the basin in an effort to determine how best to address a change in water rights administration requested by the Colorado Attorney General's Office. In the meantime, water-rights holders who could surrender priority under the potential change will be listed as "authorized diversions" instead of "calls." Under this interim water-rights administration policy, the Arkansas Basin currently has 16 calling water rights and nine authorized diversions. The most senior calling right is the 1860 Hardscrabble Ditch on the Hardscrabble Creek, followed by the 1863 John W. Brown Ditch right on Huerfano River and the 1865 Cañon Heights Ditch right Fourmile Creek. Four 1866 water rights are also calling for water: the Walsenburg Ditch on the Cucharas River, the Hayden Supply Ditch on Greenhorn Creek, the Model Ditch on the Purgatoire River, and the Gonzales Ditch on the Apishapa River. The Cottonwood and Maxwell Ditch is calling for Cottonwood Creek water under its 1874 right, and the DeWeese Dye Ditch is calling for Grape Creek water under its 1877 right. The water rights next in seniority are the 1880 Waggoner Ditch on Stout Creek, the 1881 Briscoe Ditch (Tenassee Ditch) on the South Arkansas River, the 1881 Dotson Ditch No. 1 on the Saint Charles River, and the 1884 Fort Lyon Canal on the Arkansas River mainstem. Rounding out the current active calls are the 1887 Hyde Ditch, the 1889 X-Y Irrigating Ditch, and the 1949 Arkansas River Compact, all on the Arkansas River mainstem. The nine authorized diversions now in priority are:
After ending June drought-free, Colorado has seen drought conditions creep back into the southwestern quarter of the state, according to the current U.S. Drought Monitor report. The National Weather Service three-month outlook projects above-normal temperatures through October and below-normal precipitation for the western half of Colorado.  Precipitation
The CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow) Network reports the following precipitation amounts, in inches, for the month of July in the Arkansas River Basin in Colorado:
Reservoir Storage The Bureau of Reclamation reports that Pueblo Reservoir water increased from 223,029 acre-feet at the end of July to a current level of 228,345 acre-feet (70.7% full). The Turquoise Lake water level dropped from 124,330 acre-feet to 114,100 acre-feet (88.2% full) in July as snowmelt and West Slope water imports tapered off and water was moved downstream in part to support of recreational boating. Twin Lakes Reservoir levels increased in July, from 125,069 to 129, 492 acre-feet (91.8% full). The water level in John Martin Reservoir is up slightly from a month ago at 85,623 acre-feet. River Flows Over the past month, the Arkansas River flow near Leadville has dropped from 121 to 86.4 cfs. Downstream, the gauge below Granite reads 835 cfs thanks to Bureau of Reclamation reservoir releases. The Wellsville gauge near Salida currently reports 1,020 cfs, well above the Voluntary Flow Program target of 750 cfs. The flow at Cañon City is currently 1,170 cfs. Below Pueblo Reservoir, flows are 598 cfs. Near Avondale the river is flowing at 1,040 cfs, and the gauge at Rocky Ford reads 552 cfs. The current reading below John Martin Reservoir is 1,180 cfs, and the Lamar gauge reads 722 cfs. Calling Water Rights Water-rights administration recently got more complicated because the Colorado Attorney General's Office is insisting that Ark Basin rights be brought in line with state policy. Division 2 Engineer Rachel Zancanella is engaging water stakeholders across the basin in a conversation about how best to address this issue because it will affect water-rights priorities in the basin. Zancanella said she wants to discuss the ramifications of the change for the next year so that all stakeholders can have the opportunity to weigh in. In the meantime, water-rights holders who could surrender priority will be listed as "authorized diversions" instead of "calls." Under the new water-rights administration, the Arkansas Basin currently has 13 calling water rights and nine authorized diversions. The most senior calling right is the 1865 Hoehne Ditch on the Purgatoire River, followed by the 1866 Dan Mahan Ditch right on Huerfano River. Another 1866 water right is next in priority, the Gonzales Ditch on the Apishapa River. The 1867 Coleman Ditch right is calling for Hardscrabble Creek water, followed by the 1872 Drury Ditch on Hay Creek. The Waggoner Ditch is calling for Stout Creek water under its 1880 water right, followed by the 1881 Dotson Ditch No. 1 right on the Saint Charles River. Next up, the 1882 Hoosier Ditch right is calling for water from the North Fork of the South Arkansas River, followed by the 1882 Missouri Park Ditch right on the South Arkansas River. On the Arkansas River mainstem, the Amity Canal and the Fort Lyon Canal are calling for water under 1887 water rights. The nine authorized diversions now in priority date to1887 with the Bessemer Ditch right. Remaining authorized diversions are:
According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, the entire state of Colorado is drought-free. The National Weather Service three-month outlook predicts above-normal temperatures through September and "equal chances" for normal precipitation for most of Colorado.  Precipitation
The CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow) Network reports the following precipitation amounts, in inches, since June 1 in the Arkansas Basin:
Reservoir Storage The Bureau of Reclamation reports that Pueblo Reservoir water increased from 207,515 acre-feet at the end of June to a current level of 223,029 acre-feet (69.1% full). The Turquoise Lake water level continued to rise through June, reaching 124,330 acre-feet (96.1% full). Twin Lakes Reservoir levels also increased in June, from 110,106 acre-feet to 125,069 (88.7 % full). Even the water level in John Martin Reservoir is up, reaching 84,539 acre-feet, thanks in part to its 1949 storage right, which is now in priority. River Flows Over the past month, the Arkansas River flow near Leadville has dropped from 248 cfs to 121 cfs. Downstream, the Bureau of Reclamation releases from Twin Lakes are at 465 cfs, so river flow at the gauge below Granite is at 1,140 cfs. The Wellsville gauge, near Salida, currently reports 1,660 cfs. The flow at Cañon City is currently 1,960 cfs. Below Pueblo Reservoir, flows are 1,060 cfs. Near Avondale the river is flowing at 1,490 cfs, and the gauge at Rocky Ford reads 958 cfs. The current reading below John Martin Reservoir is 56.4 cfs, and the Lamar gauge reads 875 cfs. Calling Water Rights The Arkansas Basin currently has 11 calling water rights, but 10 authorized diversions are now in priority. The most senior calling right is the 1866 Gonzales Ditch on the Apishapa River, followed by the 1868 Harrington Ditch right on Hardscrabble Creek. The Center Ditch, another 1868 water right is calling for Turkey Creek water, and Titsworth Ditch is calling for Fourmile Creek water under its 1872 water right. On the Cucharas River, the Spanish Peaks Ditch is exercising its 1873 water right, and the Pulaski Ditch is calling for water under its 1876 water right. On the Arkansas River Mainstem, the Colorado Canal is calling for water to satisfy its 1890 water right. The 10 authorized diversions now in priority date to the early 1900s, beginning in 1903 with the Musgrove Ditch. Additional authorized diversions are:
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows dramatically improved conditions in Colorado over the past month with more than three-quarters of the state no longer experiencing any level of drought. Remaining drought conditions, however, are mostly in the Arkansas River Basin.  Even with spring runoff well underway, cool weather and precipitation during May improved Colorado snowpack as a percentage of median. The National Weather Service three-month outlook predicts above-normal temperatures for June through August and "equal chances" for normal precipitation for most of Colorado. Snowpack During May, Arkansas Basin snowpack improved from 78% to 107% of median for snow-water equivalent, but that number is suspect since most SNOTEL stations in the Ark Basin are not reporting any snowpack. Fremont Pass currently reports 91%. Nearby, Buckskin Joe in the Mosquito Range reads 250%.  Reservoir Storage
The Bureau of Reclamation reports that Pueblo Reservoir water storage dropped from 215,988 acre-feet at the end of April to a current level of 207,515 acre-feet (64.3% full). Snowmelt combined with West Slope water imports raised water levels in Turquoise Lake by more than 40,000 acre-feet in May to 98,766 acre-feet (75.4% full). Twin Lakes Reservoir levels also increased in May, from100,055 acre-feet to 110,106 (78.1% full). John Martin Reservoir levels are at 30,292 acre-feet, according to the latest data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. River Flows The Arkansas River flow near Leadville peaked at 402 cfs May 30 but has decreased to a current reading of 248 cfs. Downstream, the Bureau of Reclamation releases from Twin Lakes are at 1,000 cfs, almost all of which is native Ark Basin water. As a result of these releases, river flow at the gauge below Granite is at 1,740 cfs. The Wellsville gauge, near Salida, currently reports 2,250 cfs. The flow at Cañon City is currently 2,590 cfs. Below Pueblo Reservoir, flows are 2,180 cfs. Near Avondale the river is flowing at 2,550 cfs, and the gauge at Rocky Ford reads 1,240 cfs. The current reading below John Martin Reservoir is 598 cfs, and the Lamar gauge reads 66.7 cfs following a spike to 102 cfs on May 30. Calling Water Rights Ark Basin calling water rights have dropped from 17 a month ago to 10 currently. The most senior calling right is the 1863 Widderfield Combined right on the Apishapa River, followed by Tremayne Ditch No. 1 with an 1871 water right on West Fourmile Creek. The Drury Ditch is calling for Hay Creek water under its 1872 right, and Westall Ditch on Fourmile Creek is calling for water to satisfy its 1875 right. The Garden Park Ditch has an 1880-priority authorized diversion on Fourmile Creek. The Echo Ditch also has an authorized diversion (1891 priority) on Echo Creek. Remaining calling water rights are:
With spring runoff underway, West Slope and Rio Grande Basin snowpacks remain well above average, but the Arkansas River Basin continues to record the lowest snowpack in Colorado. According to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor, only Colorado's West Slope river basins remain drought-free with the formerly drought-free Upper Arkansas Basin now experiencing "abnormally dry" conditions. The three-month outlook from the National Weather Service gives the Arkansas Basin a 33-40% chance of above-normal temperatures for May through July and "even chances" for normal precipitation.  Snowpack
During April, Arkansas Basin snowpack dropped from 92% to 78% of median for snow-water equivalent, the lowest in the state. Two Ark Basin SNOTEL stations – Glen Cove near Pikes Peak and Apishapa near Cuchara – are not reporting any snowpack. Other SNOTEL readings range from 6% at Hayden Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Range to 120% at St. Elmo in western Chaffee County. The Brumley SNOTEL site, near Independence Pass, reports 79% of median, while Fremont Pass reports 82%. Buckskin Joe in the Mosquito Range reads 64%. The Whiskey Creek station west of Trinidad reports 8%. Reservoir Storage Pueblo Reservoir water storage dropped to 66.9%, from 221,675 acre-feet to 215,988 at the end of April. Water levels in Turquoise Lake remain low (58,631.5 acre-feet, 45.3% of capacity) in anticipation of Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water imports exceeding 50,000 acre-feet. Twin Lakes Reservoir levels remain virtually unchanged at 100,055 acre-feet (71%). John Martin Reservoir decreased slightly from 38,999 acre-feet at the end of March to 37,202 acre-feet at the end of April. River Flows The Arkansas River flow near Leadville is 77.6 cfs. Downstream, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has increased releases from Twin Lakes by 75 cfs to 250 cfs, almost all of which is native Ark Basin water. The flow below Granite is trending upward with a current gauge reading of 492 cfs. The Wellsville gauge, near Salida, reports 588 cfs, well above the target range of 250-450 cfs established by the Voluntary Flow Management Program for April 1 to May 15. The flow at Cañon City is currently 502 cfs. Below Pueblo Reservoir, flows are 356 cfs. Near Avondale the river is flowing at 489 cfs, and the gauge at Rocky Ford reads 176 cfs. Current readings below John Martin Reservoir and at Lamar are 127 cfs and 12.5 cfs, respectively. Calling Water Rights With irrigation season beginning, Ark Basin calling water rights have increased from nine a month ago to 17. The most senior calling right is the 1863 Hoehne Ditch on the Purgatoire River, followed by two Fourmile Creek water rights, the 1863 Canon Heights Ditch and the 1865 Titsworth Ditch. The other calling water rights are:
West Slope river basins are experiencing snowpacks well above average, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is preparing to open the Fryingpan-Arkansas collection system to divert a projected 57,000 acre-feet of water from snowmelt in April. The same snowpack has lifted more than half of Colorado out of drought conditions, but most of the Arkansas River Basin has some level of drought, with "extreme" and "exceptional" drought returning in the lower basin, mainly Baca County (U.S. Drought Monitor).  Snowpack
Arkansas Basin snowpack sits at 92% of median (a running average of the last 20 years) for snow-water equivalent, the lowest in the state. Readings from Ark Basin SNOTEL stations range from 36% of median at Apishapa near Cuchara to 127% at St. Elmo in western Chaffee County. The Brumley SNOTEL site, near Independence Pass, reports 91% of median, while Fremont Pass reports 94%. Glen Cove, north of Pikes Peak, rebounded from 46% a month ago to 108%. Buckskin Joe in the Mosquito Range reads 62%. In the Sangre de Cristo Range, Hayden Pass sits at 49% of median. Reservoir Storage During the past month, Pueblo Reservoir water storage reached 68.6%, increasing from 217,442 acre-feet to 221,675 at the end of March. Water levels in Turquoise Lake (48.6%) and Twin Lakes Reservoir (71.7%) are intentionally low as the Bureau of Reclamation prepares to import West Slope water through the Boustead Tunnel. John Martin Reservoir increased from 35,423 acre-feet at the end of February to 38,999 acre-feet at the end of March, even though the Winter Water Storage Program ended March 14. River Flows The Arkansas River flow at Granite in north Chaffee County is currently 94.4 cfs. The Wellsville gauge, near Salida, reports 242 cfs, down from February. River flows at Cañon City, 225 cfs, and below Pueblo Reservoir, 71.6 cfs, have also dropped since last month. Near Avondale the river is flowing at 254 cfs, also down from a month ago. The gauge at Rocky Ford reads 120 cfs, a tenfold increase since the end of February. Current readings at John Martin Reservoir and Lamar are 0.61 cfs and 6.09 cfs, respectively. Calling Water Rights With the Winter Water Storage Program done for the water year, Ark Basin calling water rights increased from seven to nine, and the Welton Ditch adds its authorized diversion to that of the Maria Stevens Reservoir. Once again, the most senior calling right is the 1862 Model Ditch, which diverts Purgatoire River water. Other calling water rights are:
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