Colorado Snowpack & River Runoff
Snow-water equivalent by basin and the seasonal runoff outlook for Colorado's rivers, translated into what it means for fishing — early or late runoff, high or low summer flows, and which waters hold up best. Updated daily through the snow season.
Colorado's snowpack is running thin this year — the statewide figure of 7% of normal means runoff peaked early and summer flows will thin out faster than usual. The higher-elevation freestones won't fish for long; tailwaters and spring creeks will carry more of the season.
If you're planning trips this year, bias toward tailwaters with cold dam releases and spring creeks that aren't snowmelt-driven. Smaller freestones in the lower elevations may warm into marginal water by mid-summer.
| River | Region | Basin snowpack | SWE now / normal | Median melt-out | Runoff forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roaring Fork River | Western Slope | 19% | 1.4" / 7.4" | ~Jun 10 | 26% |
| Blue River | Western Slope | 13% | 1.5" / 11.2" | ~Jun 5 | 24% |
| Colorado River | Western Slope | 10% | 1.3" / 12.8" | ~Jun 23 | 24% |
| Arkansas River | Arkansas Valley | 5% | 0.3" / 5.6" | ~Jun 5 | 36% |
| Gunnison River | Western Slope | 3% | 0.1" / 3.6" | ~May 27 | 20% |
| Frying Pan River | Western Slope | 2% | 0.1" / 4.1" | ~May 30 | — |
| South Platte River | Front Range | 1% | 0.1" / 8.6" | ~Jun 6 | — |
| Eagle River | Western Slope | 0% | 0.0" / 4.8" | ~Jun 1 | 22% |