PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (CO NM UT WY) Prolonged drought in Upper Colorado River Basin

Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:58:48 EDT

Summary: Prolonged drought in the Upper Colorado River Basin contributing to low streamflows.

124 streamgages in the Upper Colorado River Basin are currently reporting much below normal or all-time low flows for this day of the year. A few examples of recent field measurements of discharge are provided here. The Colorado River mainstem at the Colorado-Utah state line was measured on August 5 at 1,120 cubic feet per second (cfs), the lowest discharge measurement on record, while the long-term average for the day of year is 4,447 cfs (based on 75 years of record). The White River near Watson, Utah, a tributary of the Green River, was measured on August 10 at 1.97 cfs, while the long-term average for the day of year is 460 cfs (based on 97 years of record). The Green River at Warren Bridge near Daniel, Wyoming, was measured on July 28 at 493 cfs, while the long-term average for the day of the year is 809 cfs (based on 93 years of record). This site has no upstream regulation.

Field personnel In the Upper Colorado River Basin are constantly monitoring conditions and making special visits and site modifications to measure low flows to ensure accurate, near real-time data are publicly available.

USGS streamflow status in the Upper Colorado River Basin