Drought in Upper Gunnison River Valley, Colorado

With the 3/31 US Drought Monitor update, an area of Extreme (D3) Drought was analyzed as covering approximately 45% of Colorado Zone 014 - Upper Gunnison River Basin. Approximately 30% of the zone was under Severe (D2) Drought conditions, with the remaining 25% under Moderate (D1) Drought conditions. Due to the ongoing drought conditions and much below normal snowpack, Blue Mesa Reservoir, located in this zone, is sitting at 50% of normal storage for the month of March.

Drought significantly worsened across much of eastern Utah and western Colorado during the week between the March 24th US Drought Monitor update and the March 31st update. Nearly every zone in eastern Utah and western Colorado was now experiencing Extreme (D3) Drought conditions, or worse.