Weekly Snowpack Report
April 16, 2026 -
Summary:
Snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed is currently 21% of normal for this time of year. According to the SNOTEL data record (beginning in 1986), snowpack in the Roaring Fork Watershed has set new historic minimums every day since January 27! The only local SNOTEL sites with remaining SWE are Independence Pass, Castle Peak, Ivanhoe, and Schofield Pass – all between 10,400-11,500 feet in elevation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requested increased releases from Ruedi Reservoir to support endangered fish recovery efforts in the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River. This increased flows on the lower Fryingpan River to 78 cfs. Interested on how this past winter’s record-breaking low snowpack will impact rivers? Attend the Colorado River District’s free State of the Roaring Fork River meeting on April 23 in Aspen. Registration required. Learn more at www.roaringfork.org/events.
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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