『Drought Peril: Colorado River Negotiations Stall as Winter Storms Bring Modest Relief to Denver』のカバーアート

Drought Peril: Colorado River Negotiations Stall as Winter Storms Bring Modest Relief to Denver

Drought Peril: Colorado River Negotiations Stall as Winter Storms Bring Modest Relief to Denver

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 Denver Water Report: November 30, 2025

Well folks, it's the last day of November and Denver's water situation is heating up in more ways than one. Let's dive into what's been happening with our precious water supply.

First, some good news on the precipitation front. Over the past couple of days, Colorado experienced a significant winter storm. According to weather reports, the state saw impressive snow totals from November 28 through 29, with some mountain passes recording up to 10.8 inches of snow. While Denver proper didn't get walloped quite as hard, the moisture is welcome news for our water systems as we head into winter.

Speaking of moisture, November has been dry overall in Denver. The month saw only 0.08 inches of precipitation, which is just 13 percent of the normal 0.64 inches typically expected. That's notably below average, folks. However, this month did bring some unusual warmth to our Mile High City. The monthly mean temperature hit 49.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 10.1 degrees above normal. That's a record-breaking warm November for Denver.

Now, here's where things get serious. While we've been enjoying warmer weather, the Colorado River situation continues to deteriorate. Seven states that depend on this critical waterway, including Colorado, missed a crucial federal deadline on November 11 to reach a new water management agreement. This is significant because the Colorado River supplies water to about 40 million people and supports millions of acres of farmland.

The situation is dire. Lake Powell, which serves the Upper Basin states where Colorado resides, is sitting at approximately 29 percent capacity. That's critically low. Lake Mead, which serves the Lower Basin, is at 31 percent. Both reservoirs are lower than they were just a year ago, and the Bureau of Reclamation estimates that by 2035, the river will provide only about 11.4 million acre-feet of water. That's a dramatic decline.

What's driving all this tension? A 25-year drought has reduced the river's flow by millions of acre-feet. The big sticking point in negotiations is how to fairly distribute water cuts into the foreseeable future. Upper Basin states like Colorado argue they shouldn't be solely responsible for meeting downstream delivery obligations under current hydrologic conditions, while Lower Basin states insist enforceable cuts are essential.

On a local water quality note, Colorado passed a law over two years ago to prevent people from flushing wipes down toilets. According to Metro Water Recovery, which services Denver and surrounding municipalities, these wipes don't biodegrade properly and create major problems in our sewer systems. While there's been some improvement since the law passed, wipes continue to clog pipes across the region.

For context, Colorado gets more water from the Colorado River than its three other Upper Basin state partners combined. That makes these negotiations absolutely critical for our state's future. Environmental groups warn that continued delays could further strain ecosystems and communities that depend on this vital resource.

As we wrap up November, stay tuned to local water developments. The clock is ticking, and decisions made in the coming months will impact millions of residents and the agricultural foundation of the Southwest for decades to come.

Thanks for tuning in to your water report. Be sure to subscribe for more updates on Colorado's critical water situation and other local news that matters to you.

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