Weekly Snowpack Report
February 12, 2026 -
Summary:
Snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed is 54% of normal for this time of year. According to Natural Resource Conservation Service SNOTEL data (beginning in the 1980’s), both local and statewide snowpack is currently the worst on record. Snow course measurements, the predecessor to SNOTEL sites, show only the winters of 1976-77 and 1980-81 had less snowpack in Colorado. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, current snow cover (the total land area covered in snow) in the U.S. West is the lowest on record (dating back to 2001). As precipitation makes a comeback over the next few days, avalanche danger is increasing. Before heading into the backcountry, consult Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s avalanche forecast at https://avalanche.state.co.us/.
Calling All River Users to Protect Waterways from New Threats
It is time for every water user to take seriously their role in being a river steward. After you fish, boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY all your gear. Every time. Yes, really, every time.
Winter Ecological Flow Releases to begin December 22
Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) has partnered with the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Town of Basalt, Basalt Water Conservancy District, and Colorado Water Conservation Board to increase winter flows on the lower Fryingpan River to minimize formation and mitigate impacts of anchor ice, a supercooled ice that forms on the bottom of streams, on aquatic life.
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