Weld County Water Intelligence Brief

July 13, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The Cache la Poudre and South Platte River systems are running at low-to-moderate midsummer flows following an anomalous early-melt season in which Poudre headwaters snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the runoff window and reducing extended supply buffer for junior right holders. With peak snowmelt contribution now exhausted, Weld County irrigators are entering the highest-demand window of the season relying primarily on direct-flow rights, C-BT supplemental deliveries, and augmentation plan accounting. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and Water Division 1 call status analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All three SNOTEL stations monitoring the Cache la Poudre headwaters report zero snowpack as of July 12, 2026:

Because no percent-of-median figures are reported for these stations, the 0.0" readings at Deadman Hill and Hourglass Lake reflect normal seasonal conditions for this point in the calendar — the historical median SWE for mid-July at these elevations is also effectively zero. Joe Wright's trace reading (0.1" SWE with 5.0" depth) is similarly consistent with late-season remnant conditions.

The operationally significant signal for 2026 is meltout timing: all three stations melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by the anomalous March heat wave. This early meltout means the Poudre basin's snowmelt-driven runoff pulse concluded well before the peak agricultural demand window — leaving July and August supply to depend on baseflow, C-BT releases, and whatever carryover storage Northern Water has available. South Platte headwaters snowpack, which feeds the mainstem above Fort Lupton, is not directly monitored by these three stations and represents an additional upstream variable.

Streamflow Conditions

Cache la Poudre River at Fort Collins (USGS 06752260): 10 cfs, rising as of July 13. This is a low midsummer reading for this gauge and reflects post-runoff baseflow conditions on the Poudre mainstem upstream of major agricultural diversions.

Cache la Poudre River above Boxelder Creek near Timnath (USGS 06752280): 4 cfs, rising as of July 13. This gauge is the closest active indicator to where the Poudre enters Weld County and shows the residual flow available after upstream diversions by Fort Collins-area canal companies. At 4 cfs, remaining surface flow entering northern Weld County is minimal — conditions under which junior direct-flow rights on the lower Poudre face elevated curtailment exposure.

South Platte River at Fort Lupton (USGS 06721000): 74 cfs, falling as of July 13. The mainstem South Platte is carrying substantially more flow than the Poudre, reflecting broader upstream contributions including Denver metro return flows and transmountain deliveries. However, the falling trend warrants monitoring, as continued decline during peak irrigation demand could tighten priority administration for junior South Platte right holders.

Taken together, the two-river picture shows the Poudre system under significantly tighter supply conditions than the South Platte mainstem. Irrigators with direct-flow rights on the lower Poudre should be in active contact with their ditch company regarding current headgate status.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through July 12, 2026; USGS streamflow data through July 13, 2026.

Data Current As Of: Colorado Division of Water Resources.

Important Disclaimers: This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Specific numerical claims have not been independently verified. Consult official sources including your local water district, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Northern Water — administers C-BT Project; Horsetooth Reservoir data via Northern Water portal at northernwater.org or USBR HydroMet site HRT), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Eastern Colorado Area Office (Loveland, CO), and Colorado Division of Water Resources, Water Division 1 (Greeley office) for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.