Getting Dry in Southern Colorado

[windymtnman]

After a nearly snow-less, mild Winter, and a dry Spring to date, the Forest Service began opening up some trails around here a few weeks early. On April 30th, I saddled up, and rode took a tour on some familiar trails in the Rio Grande Nat'l Forest. I very familiar with this area, and know about what to expect with regard to streams and Springs that ought to have a lot of melt water, etc. this time of year.
The amount of water in these streams was about what I usually see in mid to late Summer, not this time of year. Unless our weather pattern changes, it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of water sources dry up, causing the game to gravitate to areas where water is still available. Will this impact hunting? Too soon to say, but had me thinking about it. Hunters coming from out of State, headed for their traditional areas, or doing their scouting on the internet might be in for a surprise?
We'll see what happens this Summer I guess?

 

[marksjeep]

Dry up here as well. Very dry.

 

[HighDesertSage]

I live at the base of the Sawatch Mountains, and it's definitely crispy out there.

 

[Matty B]

The Grand Valley is dry as well. The Colorado is much lower than most years at this time. Should be an interesting season!

 

[waygoner]

Uncompahgre Plateau is also suffering. Streams and stock ponds that should be full right now are dry.

 

[JohnCushman]

SE is about the same way. The Arkansas river is about dry and there's nothing to be said about having any green grass anywhere.

 

[LuketheDog]

SE is about the same way. The Arkansas river is about dry and there's nothing to be said about having any green grass anywhere.

Yep, up by me the Ark has been 1/3 to 1/2 of the yearly average flow this spring...

 

[COEngineer]

I am a whitewater rafter, so I have been watching this closely. This site has great info and graphs: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/co/snow/products/?cid=nrcs144p2_063323

Here's the most recent data for the Ark: https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/basinsweplots/co/basinplotark18.gif

 

[T Bone]

Went turkey hunting once this year so far. I was more interested in watching elk than finding birds. As a result of the mild winter, the elk are fat as could be!

Elk definitely change patterns according to water. It will be interesting to watch.

I'm a rafter as well. First Westwater permit obtained for June 28th, with the thought that flows will be below 10k.

 

[bigsky2]

I decided to cash in my NR deer points in the Gunnison Basin this year. With such a mild winter I would think the deer are in great shape, I just hope that area gets some moisture this spring and summer.

 

[elkduds]

Surprised to see South Platte #s holding up well. Generally everything north of the Gunnison Basin got much better moisture than the southern river basins. Rio Grande basin and Animas/Dolores snowpacks are extremely low.

 

[WildWill]

Thanks for the info I'll be in unit 75 in September be interesting to see what the water situation will do to the elk.

 

[CampRipleyLF]

Not only hunting but hard on the year classes of trout...... hope some rain comes soon.