Water shortage warning for 40 million people tied to Colorado River snowpack

A warm, dry winter and an arriving heat wave have left Colorado River basin snowpack near or below half of normal, prompting warnings that roughly 40 million people who rely on the river could face water shortages this summer.

A dangerous stretch of extreme heat is moving across the U.S. Southwest and is expected to speed the melting of an already below‑normal mountain snowpack. This follows a warm, dry winter that produced historically low snowfall across the Colorado River Basin. The basin supplies water for roughly 40 million people across seven Western states and has been under long‑term strain from overuse and warming. Forecasters and water managers report that the rapid melt of limited snow reserves could worsen water supply conditions this summer. Key facts: - Snowpack across much of the Colorado River Basin is reported at roughly half of the historical average or lower after a warm, dry winter. - Colorado statewide snowpack was reported at about 62 percent of normal at the end of February. - Denver Water reported snowpack between 55 percent and 71 percent of normal in its collection areas and warned of likely drought responses this year. - Lake Powell is expected to receive about 52 percent of its usual inflow from snowmelt and is reported to be approaching "minimum power pool," which could affect hydropower production. Summary: The reduced snowpack combined with forecasted above‑average spring temperatures is reported to raise the prospect of summer water shortages across the Colorado River Basin. Water managers and hydrologists are issuing warnings and preparing for a difficult season while officials monitor inflows and reservoir levels. Undetermined at this time.