Year closes with snow, easing drought conditions in West

Written by Deborah in Water News

A winter snow scene

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Thanks to snow and rain, there is an improvement in the drought affecting the southwest.

Reports of road closures and potential flooding in California, above-average snowpack in Colorado, and record snowfall in other parts of the basin states paint a cautiously optimistic picture. Snowpack, if it continues, can ease the mega-drought conditions that have been affecting Lake Mead, Lake Powell and other storage facilities in the Colorado River basin states.

The December 29 drought map published by the U.S. drought monitor showed significantly less “extreme drought” conditions than earlier in the 2022.

Drought map — Image: Latest Map from the U.S. Drought Monitor

Opens in a new tab. — Image: Latest Map from the U.S. Drought Monitor

Since 1995, Deborah has owned and operated LegalTech LLC with a focus on water rights. Before moving to Arizona in 1986, she worked as a quality control analyst for Honeywell and in commercial real estate, both in Texas. She learned about Arizona's water rights from the late and great attorney Michael Brophy of Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite. Her side interests are writing (and reading), Wordpress programming and much more.

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Laura

January 3, 2023 8:37 pm

I must admit a sigh of relief when I took a good look at the map. It’s encouraging and I can tell you that right now, this minute I am sitting under about 8″ of fresh snow. I am in North East AZ and this is our 2nd snowfall of the season. It looks promising here because when there is snow and rain in the winter, there is fresh growth in the spring and we dont have to worry about the bears, deer, elk and other wildlife wandering into town. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

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Western-Water is for laypeople who are interested in general water news and their water rights. Managed by a water paralegal with over 30 years' experience in Arizona water issues, you'll find calculators, tips and general information geared for water users in the Colorado River states. Do not rely on this site for legal advice. The picture was taken while hiking at Aravaipa Canyon, a must see!

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