MOUNTAIN SNOWPACK IS ON THE INCREASE IN SOUTHERN COLORADO AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. THAT’S THE GOOD NEWS AS IRRIGATION SEASON BEGINS ALONG THE RIO GRANDE. BUT TOM THORPE WITH THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT SAYS THERE’S CURRENTLY VERY LITTLE WATER IN STORAGE AT EL VADO RESERVOIR.
THORPE SAYS THE STATE IS DEPENDENT SOLELY ON MOTHER NATURE THIS YEAR. HE SAYS THEY ONLY HAVE ABOUT A THOUSAND ACRE FEET OF WATER IN STORAGE, ROUGHLY ONE DAY’S SUPPLY OF WATER.
THORPE SAYS MOUNTAIN RUNOFF WILL BEGIN IN APRIL…AND PEAK IN MID MAY. THERE ARE ABOUT 70-THOUSAND ACRES OF IRRIGATED CROPLAND ALONG THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE.
