Key developments
Colorado drought tightens ahead of summer
The Journal's Shannon Mullane reports that Colorado is heading into summer with reduced water availability after a record dry winter and a March heat wave limited snowpack rebound. Most of the state is now in drought, with statewide reservoir storage near 89% of normal, and water managers expect seniority-based curtailments to hit irrigators, municipalities, fire restrictions, and other users. Officials say the first-in-time, first-in-right system will determine which users are cut first as the season progresses.
Why it matters
The state is entering peak water demand with drought already in place, raising the risk of widespread agricultural and municipal restrictions.
Sources & driving stories
THE JOURNAL · Shannon Mullane
The Journal coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Northern Colorado plans 80% supply
The district says it expects about 80% of usual supplies for 1.1 million people and 615,000 irrigated acres, showing the drought is affecting major water systems beyond the southwest.
WORTH NOTING
Ute Mountain Ute faces 13% water
The tribe's farm and ranch enterprise expects only 13% to 14% of normal water, a severe shortfall likely to force fallowing and changes to crop rotations and livestock management.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
How severe will curtailments become?
Water managers expect seniority-based cutbacks, but the scale and geographic reach of those restrictions are still unclear.
OPEN QUESTION
How much land will be fallowed?
The biggest documented shortfalls could force significant acreage out of production if water availability does not improve.