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        Water Supply Outlook                                              June 4, 2026


Snowpack across the Arkansas and Canadian River Basins continues to be scarce
this season. Most of the snowpack in the Canadian Basin and the Arkansas River
tributary basins in southern Colorado has already melted. There was a good snow
in the highest elevation of Colorado in early May, but it didn`t appreciably add
much to the remaining snowpack. Because snowfall was so scarce throughout the
season and temperatures were above normal, much of the snowpack melted before the
runoff season began.

Seasonal runoff (April-September) is forecast to be 34 percent-of-average for the
Arkansas River at Salida and 33 percent-of-average below Pueblo Reservoir. Runoff
from Grape Creek, the Cucharas River and the Huerfano River is forecast to be 24,
19, and 34 percent-of-average, respectively. Chalk Creek is forecast to provide
42 percent-of-average runoff.  Runoff from the Purgatoire River is forecast to
be 15 percent-of-average.

Water-year-to-date precipitation (October-May) in the mountain headwaters of
Colorado is well below median, overall. Reports range from 44 percent-of-median at
Whiskey Creek to 82 percent-of-median at Medano Pass. Snowpack above Salida, as
measured by (NRCS) SNOTEL sites, has mostly melted. The only SNOTEL still reporting
snowpack is Fremont Pass. Snowpack in the Cucharas, Huerfano, and Purgatoire River
basins has mostly melted.

Reservoir storage in the Arkansas River system is 102 percent-of-median above Pueblo
Reservoir and 72 percent-of-median below the reservoir. The upper reservoirs are at
92 percent of last year`s total. The lower reservoirs are at 79 percent of last
year`s total.

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issues three-month temperature and precipitation
outlooks for the nation. The temperature outlook for June through August calls for
increased chances of above normal temperatures in New Mexico and Colorado. The CPC
precipitation outlook also calls for increased chances for above normal
precipitation across New Mexico and Colorado.


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