Colorado’s snowpack is at a record low, and the longer that continues, the harder it will be to make up the deficit before the end of winter, water managers say. … This year, the state has about 58% of its normal snowpack — the lowest on record for this time of year. … The northwestern combined basin is part of the larger Colorado River Basin, which spans the Western Slope and extends across six other states and into northern Mexico. If critically dry conditions continue, one of the basin’s massive reservoirs, Lake Powell, could drop so low that it would not be able to generate hydroelectric power by December, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. 

Other snowpack and water supply news around the West:

• FOX10 (Phoenix): New aerial technology aims to predict water management in Phoenix area
• Alamosa Citizen (Colo.): Low snowpack cause for concern, not panic
• The Independent: Two-thirds of the US is facing drought in the middle of winter. Here’s why scientists are worried
• ABC7 (Los Angeles): A look at Southern California’s water supply after winter storms
• NBC Bay Area: Video: Tale of two winters: Sierra and snow drought in the West