Pitkin’s incidence rate remains the second highest in the state, with a rate of about 300 per 100,000, but that is down from 600 on June 16. Hospitalizations across the state remain low but are increasing, with 323 people in the hospital.
Data dashboard: Aspen sees above-normal high temperatures all but one day so far in June
• The Crystal River ran at 1,350 cfs near Redstone. That’s down from its seasonal peak of 1,770 cfs on June 12.
• Independence and McClure Passes still have some snowpack, while it is gone at Ivanhoe and Schofield Pass.
• Maximum air temperature reached up to 87°F on June 11 at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airpot. That’s 15 degrees above normal.
Race is on for Colorado River basin states to conserve before feds take action
The actions taken in the 2022 Drought Response Operations Plan will add about 1 million acre-feet, or 16 feet of elevation, to Lake Powell. But these actions are not enough.
Data dashboard: Streamflows exceed May peak in many local reaches
• The Crystal River near Redstone flowed at 1,770 cfs on June 12, while the Crystal at the CPW Fish Hatchery bridge ran at 2,100 cfs.
• Lake Powell’s elevation reached 3,536.2 feet on Sunday, up from 3,534 on June 5.
• Roaring Fork Basin snowpack has almost entirely melted.
Declining levels at Lake Powell increase risk to humpback chub downstream
The problem from which all others stem, including the changing fish communities, and the reason Powell is so low in the first place is the climate-change-driven supply-demand imbalance, Schmidt said.
Data dashboard: Roaring Fork Basin snowpack making its last stand
• McClure Pass and Ivanhoe recorded a snowpack of 0 inches on June 5.
• Snowpack at Indy Pass was at about 10% of average, while Schofield Pass’ snowpack was at less than 2% of average on June 5.
• The Roaring Fork River is running at about 50% of average, while the Crystal is over 100%.
Early peak runoff for Western Slope rivers
For several locations — the Roaring Fork at Glenwood, the Crystal, the San Miguel and the Colorado at Cameo — the peak came so early that it was outside the window of what’s considered normal.
Data dashboard: Glenwood soil moisture improves over 2021
• The Roaring Fork River near Aspen ran at 198 cfs on May 30. That’s down from 229 cfs on May 28.
• Snowpack at Indy Pass increased from 5.6% of average last week to 12.1% of average on May 30.
• Lake Powell’s elevation reached 3,531 feet on May 30, up from 3,528 feet on May 22.
Pitkin County agrees to fund ditch piping project
But to complete the final 3,600 feet, the ditch company is turning to public sources of money because they say the project will have the public benefit of keeping between 0.5 and 1 additional cubic feet per second of water in Hunter Creek.
Data dashboard: Did the rivers already peak? It’s possible but ‘it depends’
• Roaring Fork basin snowpack at 40%.
• Lake Powell back above 3,525-foot target elevation.