Drought in Lower Yampa River Basin, Colorado

Despite having just gone over a month without Extreme (D3) or Exceptional (D4) Drought, Colorado Zone 001 - Lower Yampa River Basin was analyzed as having redeveloped Extreme (D3) Drought. With the 2/11 US Drought Monitor update, approximately 40% of the zone was now under Extreme (D3) Drought conditions, with 50% of the zone under Severe (D2) Drought, and the remaining 10% under Moderate (D1) Drought. Between this point and the end of the month there was no change to drought conditions in this zone. No reports of impacts or damages from drought in the zone were received.

As the month of February continued hot and dry, there was no relief from the worsening drought conditions. Extreme (D3) Drought either redeveloped or expanded across northwest Colorado and into the southern portion of the central Colorado Divide mountains. No areas of Exceptional (D4) Drought developed or expanded during the month.