The Colorado State Open Thread is usually published around 7PM Monday evenings, Mountain time zone. If anyone would like to contribute, please contact ColoTim and I’ll be happy to schedule you.
While it started on February 28th, the snowstorm that hit the northern mountains and Estes Park was still bringing down snow until Sunday afternoon. Up until this snowstorm, I had been hearing about the snowiest months being February and March (pretty much like they are in Denver) but until now the snows were rarely more than an inch or two, leaving bare spots under trees and not affecting travel much at all. Oh, yes, the temperatures got very cold and the winds frequently hit 40-50 mph gusts, with some likely stronger. I know now that Mariah (of “They Call the Wind Mariah” and the musical “Paint Your Wagon”) has a winter home in the Rockies. These strong winds apparently blow from about October to April or May. The strong winds were keeping the snow blown, melting it and keeping it from sticking in many locations, only to dump it into hollows, behind obstructions and sending my 300+ pound smoker skidding across the deck. Luckily I caught it before it went down the steps and caused serious damage.
I was getting worried about the snowpack. I’ve learned in my Citizens Information Academy that Estes Park maneuvered water rights decades ago. They invested in water from the tunnel that brings water from the Colorado River through the mountains and dumps it near my house into the Big Thompson River, which flows down to farms on the plains. Estes Park has plenty of water to supply not just the 5600 people living in Estes Park but also to take care of the 5+ million tourists we get on an annual basis. Estes Park isn’t going to go dry. However, many other areas of Colorado aren’t sitting so high and pretty.
To see the current snow pack conditions, you can go to a detailed chart at wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/… or you can see the basin snowpacks here, courtesy of the US Dept. of Agriculture.
Colorado is doing pretty well this yearThe water resources this year are currently above average, which is good, but the pattern for snowmelt the last few years has been moving earlier in the season and the time melting takes has been compressed. This means that river flows are earlier and higher, but no longer stretched out to allow late season irrigation. Recreation that is dependent upon water, like river rafting, takes place earlier in the year by as much as three weeks compared to the historical average.
Colorado has been and will remain a relatively dry state. These numbers, while good by historical standards, do not mean Colorado has an abundance of water for everyone. With all the new population growth in the state, as well as pollution of water from fracking (yes, I’m one of those who believes fracking pollutes groundwater), Colorado will never have “enough” water to satisfy everyone.
In any event, here are some photos I took of the area around my house. The official total for Estes Park’s snowfall from this storm is about 7 inches, but that seems woefully undermeasured. Maybe they’re missing a day or two? Anyway, check out the photos and let me know what you think.
Side yard. I need to go measure the table. Blue spruce on Saturday after two days of snow. Blue spruce Sunday morning. Note how many gaps have filled in.The rest of these are from Sunday.
Across the valley in the direction of Estes Park As the sun sets on Sunday, looking northwest I may be longing for Spring, but this is simply breathtaking at about five degrees. Rocky Mountain National Park as the sun starts to set Another Ho-Hum Day In Paradise. Estes Park, ColoradoWhat’s going on in your corner of Colorado? Let us know what interests/concerns you. The floor is yours.