Weld County Water Intelligence Brief

August 3, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Weld County's two-river system — the South Platte mainstem and the Cache la Poudre — is operating under late-summer low-flow conditions following an anomalous 2026 snowpack season in which headwaters stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the runoff window and accelerating the transition to base-flow conditions. C-BT supplemental supply status and reservoir storage data are critical variables for allotment holders assessing remaining season deliveries. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All three SNOTEL stations monitoring Cache la Poudre headwaters snowpack in Larimer County — the upstream source region for Poudre River flows entering Weld County — are reporting conditions consistent with normal late-summer meltout.

Deadman Hill (08/02): 0.0" SWE, 0.0" snow depth

Hourglass Lake (08/02): 0.0" SWE, 0.0" snow depth

Joe Wright (08/02): 0.0" SWE, 6.0" snow depth

Deadman Hill and Hourglass Lake are fully melted out, which is the expected condition for this date — no percent-of-median figures are shown because the historical median SWE for early August at these stations is also 0.0". Joe Wright retains a nominal 6-inch snow depth with 0.0" SWE, indicating residual wet or settled snowpack without meaningful water content. No additional snowmelt contribution to Poudre River flows should be anticipated from these stations. The key 2026 signal is not today's readings — it is timing: these stations melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning the spring runoff pulse arrived and receded earlier than normal, and river systems have been on a base-flow trajectory longer than a typical year. South Platte basin headwaters snowpack — feeding flows from the upper Platte canyons and Blue River system — is not directly monitored by these three stations and represents an additional upstream variable for mainstem South Platte conditions.

Streamflow Conditions

Cache la Poudre River at Fort Collins (06752260, 08/03): 22 cfs — falling

Cache la Poudre River above Boxelder Creek near Timnath (06752280, 08/03): 9 cfs — falling

South Platte River at Fort Lupton (06721000, 08/03): 96 cfs — stable

The Cache la Poudre is running at low late-summer flows on both active gauges, with a falling trend at both locations. The Fort Collins gauge at 22 cfs reflects upper-reach conditions; by the time flows reach the Timnath gauge — the closest active monitoring point to where the Poudre enters Weld County — only 9 cfs remains, reflecting intervening diversions and consumptive use along the corridor. Both readings are consistent with a system well past its runoff peak and relying on base flow and return-flow contributions. The falling trend at both gauges warrants close attention for northern Weld County users with Poudre-dependent direct-flow rights, particularly junior right holders who face the highest curtailment exposure as flows decline. The South Platte mainstem at Fort Lupton is holding at 96 cfs on a stable trend, providing a more moderate picture for the mainstem corridor, though stable does not mean adequate for all rights. Junior priority holders on both river systems should monitor call status actively through Water Division 1.

Seasonal Guidance

Subscribe for the full brief including reservoir storage, weather forecasts, depletion analysis, and detailed operational recommendations.

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 2, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 3, 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.