Denver has seen quite a dramatic 48 hours when it comes to water and weather, and Metro area residents are feeling the effects. Over the past two days, the region has experienced unseasonably hot but mostly dry conditions, with high temperatures peaking at 100 degrees Fahrenheit on July 9 and dropping to a low of 54 degrees on July 11. Despite the heat, precipitation remains well below average for July. For the entire month so far, Denver has received only about 0.42 inches of rain, which is just 20 percent of the typical July average of 2.14 inches, according to weatherandclimate.info. In fact, since the start of the month, only a handful of days have seen light rainfall, with a mere 0.01 inches falling as recently as July 11.
This unusually dry spell comes at a time when Colorado’s water supply is facing significant stress. Federal forecasters and the National Integrated Drought Information System warn that drought conditions have worsened across much of Colorado, with the state's snowpack melting rapidly during a hot, dry spring. As a result, the Colorado River basin, a major water source for Denver and much of the West, is expected to see declining water supplies this summer. The two largest reservoirs on the river, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, are sitting at less than a third of their total storage capacity, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
In the Denver metro area, residents’ drinking water remains safe and reliable, thanks in large part to Denver Water, which serves 1.5 million people. Still, officials and local water providers are keeping a close eye on ongoing legal and environmental debates that could shape the future of the region's water. Controversy is brewing over a $99 million deal intended to permanently protect key water rights on the Western Slope, with Front Range cities like Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs voicing concerns over how the deal could impact their own water supplies, as reported by the Colorado Sun. The outcome of this fight could have ripple effects on how and when water moves from the mountains to city taps.
Adding to the mix, recent court victories by environmentalists—like the $100 million settlement to restore the Cache la Poudre River—highlight a shift in how water projects are managed. Future efforts to address water storage and delivery, such as the massive Northern Integrated Supply Project, will need to balance traditional supply needs with environmental concerns. Brad Wind, general manager of Northern Water, notes that this “absolutely will change how water is developed” in Colorado.
In the short term, Denverites can expect hot days, cool nights, and just a chance of the odd rain shower. Rain totals for July are far below normal, and drought watches remain in effect. The city’s supply of high-quality drinking water is holding steady for now, but the broader water picture is growing more complex as development, population growth, and a changing climate put increasing pressure on the system.
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2025/09/074 分