Record low snowpack in the West may worsen water, fire and political strains

Snowpack across much of the Western US is well below normal this winter, and officials say that shortfalls threaten spring runoff for the Colorado River Basin — used by about 40 million people — while raising wildfire concerns as states try to agree on water-sharing terms.

States across the Western United States are seeing unusually low snowpack levels in midwinter, a condition officials say could affect water supplies and wildfire vulnerability later in the year. This is being discussed now because much of the region’s water — including the Colorado River Basin that serves roughly 40 million people — is set by winter snowmelt, and states are racing to agree on water-sharing terms ahead of a deadline. A climate scientist and federal data describe a widespread deficit stretching from Washington to Arizona and New Mexico, with some basins well below typical levels. Key facts: - A climate scientist warned that, unless winter brings an exceptional turnaround, the low snowpack could worsen ecological and political strains on the Colorado River Basin and increase wildfire risk in parts of the West. - U.S. Department of Agriculture data reported that, as of February 12, snowpack was less than half its normal level in areas across nine Western states. - States are working to negotiate terms to share Colorado River water ahead of a deadline; the next formal step in those negotiations was not specified in the reporting. Summary: The current low snowpack reduces expected spring runoff and is reported to increase the risk of drier forests and more severe wildfire conditions while adding pressure to interstate talks over Colorado River allocations. Undetermined at this time.