Mesa County Faces Potential Drought as Snowpack Levels Plummet

Warming temperatures and low snowpack raise concerns about water supply for the upcoming summer season.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Snowpack levels in Mesa County, Colorado are currently sitting at just 47% of the historical average, raising concerns about a potential drought in the region. The current snow water equivalent is measuring below seven inches as the dry winter season continues into February. Climatologists and water officials are closely monitoring the situation and preparing contingency plans to manage water resources if the low snowpack persists.

Why it matters

Snowpack is a critical water source for Colorado, providing the primary supply for the region from year to year. Low snowpack levels frequently trigger concerns about long-term water availability, especially in areas like Mesa County that rely heavily on this resource. Water providers are closely watching the situation and preparing to utilize alternative sources if necessary to meet customer demand.

The details

The current snowpack levels in the Grand Valley area of Mesa County are measuring just 47% of the historical average. This low snowpack is being driven by warming temperatures on the Western Slope. While the overall moisture for the water year is bolstered by a wet autumn, the dry winter has led to concerns about the potential for drought conditions this summer. Water providers like the Ute Water Conservancy District are prepared to utilize different parts of their watershed portfolio, including the Colorado River and the Route II Reservoir, to meet customer demand if the low snowpack persists.

  • The current snow water equivalent is measuring just below seven inches as of February 2026.
  • Mesa County saw high precipitation levels in October 2025, bringing the accumulated total for the water year to approximately 85%.

The players

Russ Schumacher

The Colorado state climatologist and a professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University.

Randi Kim

The utilities director for the city of Grand Junction.

Andrea Lopez

The external affairs manager for the Ute Water Conservancy District.

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What they’re saying

“When you have a low snow year like this, the you know, the the worries about the water situation really start to come up because we don't like here in Colorado, we really do rely on that snowpack from year to year.”

— Russ Schumacher, Colorado state climatologist and professor of atmospheric science

“We had a good fall with high precipitation levels in in October. So our overall precipitation for for that accumulated over the snow year, the water year is about 85%. So not as bad as if you just look at snowpack. So and we are seeing that the long range outlook is is we're cautiously optimistic.”

— Randi Kim, Utilities director, City of Grand Junction

“So throughout drought years, depending on the severity of the drought and the demand of our customers, we're able to utilize different parts of our watershed portfolio.”

— Andrea Lopez, External affairs manager, Ute Water Conservancy District

What’s next

Water providers like the Ute Water Conservancy District will continue to closely monitor snowpack levels and water demand in the coming months to determine if they need to rely more heavily on secondary water sources like the Colorado River and Route II Reservoir.

The takeaway

The low snowpack levels in Mesa County highlight the region's vulnerability to drought and the importance of proactive water management strategies. While the overall precipitation for the water year is better than the snowpack alone suggests, water officials remain cautiously optimistic and are prepared to utilize alternative sources if the dry conditions persist through the summer.