Snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed is 65% of normal for this time of year. Consistent above average temperatures and historically low snowpack have been the story so far this winter, and those conditions continued over the last week. To date, an average of 8.8” of SWE has accumulated at local SNOTEL sites this winter which, looking at the 30-year average, is about where we would normally be in mid-January. Historically, the lowest peak SWE (11.4”) and peak runoff (2,110 cfs on the Roaring Fork River in Glenwood Springs) occurred in 2012. Current SWE is 2.6” lower than the same date in 2012. For anyone already planning their gardens, consider native, drought tolerant plants that will require less outdoor watering. More outdoor water saving tips are available at www.roaringfork.org/drought.