Low Snowpack in 2012
Persistent low snowpack levels on Colorado’s western slope have defined the 2012 winter season. The USDA NRCS reports low snowpack in all of Colorado’s river basins with the state average sitting at 71% as of the first of the year. This makes 2012 the fourth lowest January snowpack in 30 years, with the drought year of 2002 the lowest at 65 %.
The low snow levels are making it hard for winter tourism and ski resorts have had to resort to layoffs. It goes without saying that the low snowpack will also have impacts to agriculture in the coming growing season.
Legislative Tracking 2013
