Drought in Lower Yampa River Basin, Colorado

At the beginning of the month of December, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions in Colorado Zone 001 - Lower Yampa River Basin. This area comprised around 3% of the zone, with 27% of the zone under Severe (D2) Drought conditions, and the remainder under Moderate (D1) Drought conditions. These drought conditions did not change through the end of the month.

The month of December was generally uneventful as far as drought was concerned. Most locations remained below the Extreme (D3) Drought threshold, with only areas of the central and northern Divide mountains seeing conditions worsen. Throughout the winter season, and even back into the Fall, this area has received significantly below normal precipitation, resulting in the worsening drought.