The overall water supply conditions in Colorado have improved over the last year. Nearly 70% of the state is completely out of drought conditions, and only one area in eastern Colorado remains classified as experiencing exceptional drought.  The Pueblo weather station remains below average for the water year and on a four-year time frame. Year-to-date precipitation at the mountain SNOTEL sites was at 103% of average into early September. Reservoir storage levels, statewide, at the end of August were at 100% of average (28% ahead of August 2013 levels). Generally storage levels are higher in the northern basins than in the southern basins (the South Platte is at 138% of average while the Upper Rio Grande is the lowest at 61% of average storage).

Sources: Governor's September 2014 Drought Update, National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA-NRCS

Color    

Yellow

Light Brown

Orange

Red

Dark Red

Drought Condition

D0 Abnormally Dry

D1 Moderate Drought

D2 Severe Drought

D3 Extreme Drought

D4 Exceptional Drought

Figure created by National Drought Mitigation Center, Brian Fuchs.http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu