Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Weld County, CO

August 24, 2026

Weld County Water Intelligence Brief

August 24, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition | Water Division 1

Situation Summary

Weld County's two-river system — the South Platte mainstem and Cache la Poudre — is entering late August under low-flow conditions driven by an anomalous early-melt season in which headwaters snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date. C-BT supplemental supply and augmentation plan obligations are elevated concerns for junior right holders as direct-flow availability tightens across both river corridors. Reservoir storage data, C-BT allotment unit pricing, and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All three SNOTEL stations monitoring the Cache la Poudre headwaters report seasonal conditions consistent with normal late-August status — but the 2026 story is one of timing, not current deficit.

  • Deadman Hill (08/23): SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Hourglass Lake (08/23): SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Joe Wright (08/23): SWE 0.2", Snow Depth 0.0"

    • The 0.0" readings at Deadman Hill and Hourglass Lake reflect normal seasonal meltout — at this point in the calendar, the historical median SWE is also 0.0", so these stations are not below normal for the date. Joe Wright's 0.2" reading is a trace remnant and carries no meaningful operational significance at this stage of the season. The critical 2026 signal is that these stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning the Poudre basin's snowmelt pulse entered the river system significantly earlier in the season than typical. That early pulse has already passed through the system; no additional snowmelt-driven recharge is available. Note that South Platte basin headwaters snowpack — feeding the upper Platte canyons and Carter Lake system — is an additional upstream variable not captured by these three Poudre-focused stations.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Both river systems serving Weld County show low and falling flows as of August 24, 2026.

    Cache la Poudre River:

  • Above Boxelder Creek near Timnath (USGS, 08/24): 9 cfs, falling — This gauge sits at the Larimer/Weld County boundary and is the most direct indicator of Poudre deliveries entering northern Weld County. At 9 cfs and falling, available flow for direct-flow diversions on the lower Poudre is severely limited.
  • At Fort Collins (USGS, 08/24): 5 cfs, falling — The upstream Fort Collins reading confirms that inflows from the upper Poudre corridor are minimal. The 4 cfs difference between Fort Collins and Timnath likely reflects return flows and limited tributary contributions through the Fort Collins reach, but overall mainstem supply is critically low.

    • South Platte River:

  • At Fort Lupton (USGS, 08/24): 201 cfs, falling — The primary South Platte mainstem indicator for Weld County shows substantially higher flow than the Poudre system, reflecting the aggregated contributions of the Denver metro corridor and upstream tributaries. However, the falling trend warrants attention as late-season demand continues and upstream contributions diminish. Junior direct-flow rights holders on the South Platte mainstem should monitor call status closely.

    • Across both systems, the combination of early-season meltout and declining late-August flows means the natural supply base is at or near its seasonal floor. Junior right holders on the Poudre face the highest immediate curtailment exposure given the sub-10 cfs readings at Timnath.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact Colorado Division of Water Resources, Water Division 1 (Greeley office) to check current call status on both the Cache la Poudre and South Platte systems before making diversion or augmentation plan decisions.
  • Check the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Northern Water) portal at northernwater.org or the USBR HydroMet site (HRT) for current Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake storage figures relevant to C-BT allotment delivery status.
  • Contact your canal company office — including Cache la Poudre Irrigating Canal Company, Water Supply and Storage Company, or North Poudre Irrigation Company as applicable — to confirm current delivery scheduling and any prorated allocation notices for the remainder of the season.
  • Western Sugar Cooperative's field representatives and Weld County Extension (CSU Extension, Greeley) are appropriate contacts for crop-specific irrigation timing guidance as sugar beet peak demand intersects with declining late-season flows.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 23, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 24, 2026.

    Data Current As Of: August 24, 2026. Water rights administration status 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 — northernwater.org; USBR HydroMet site HRT for Horsetooth storage data), 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. This brief does not constitute legal, engineering, or water rights advice.

    Data & Disclaimers

    Sources: NRCS SNOTEL network · USGS National Water Information System · National Weather Service

    This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Consult official sources including your local water district and state Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions. This document does not constitute legal, regulatory, or engineering advice.

    Other Issues

    Weld County Brief — October 26, 2026Weld County Brief — October 19, 2026Weld County Brief — October 12, 2026Weld County Brief — October 5, 2026Weld County Brief — September 28, 2026Weld County Brief — September 21, 2026Weld County Brief — September 14, 2026Weld County Brief — September 7, 2026Weld County Brief — August 31, 2026Weld County Brief — August 17, 2026Weld County Brief — August 10, 2026Weld County Brief — August 3, 2026Weld County Brief — July 27, 2026Weld County Brief — July 20, 2026Weld County Brief — July 13, 2026Weld County Brief — July 6, 2026Weld County Brief — June 29, 2026Weld County Brief — June 22, 2026Weld County Brief — June 15, 2026Weld County Brief — June 8, 2026

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