Winter snowpack, by river basin

How much snow is stored in the mountains that feed each run, compared with the 1991–2020 median for the date. SWE is snow water equivalent: the depth of water the snowpack would hold if it melted. Runs are grouped into the basins that feed them, so every run in a basin shares one reading.

NRCS SNOTEL data as of Oct 31, 2026. Provisional readings, averaged across the SNOTEL stations in each basin and compared with the 1991–2020 median. Refreshed daily. Basins are formed by watershed, so values can differ from official NRCS basin reports.

Snowpack is one factor in future flows. Spring temperatures, rain, soil moisture, dust on snow, and — on regulated rivers — reservoir releases also matter. This is an outlook indicator, not a flow forecast.

Show

Well below, under 70%Below, 70–89%Near, 90–110%Above, 111–130%Well above, over 130%Early season, no %

Schematic basin shapes for orientation, not survey boundaries. Shaded by % of median SWE. NRCS SNOTEL data as of Oct 31, 2026. Select a basin to open it below.

Arkansas RiverFeeds 3 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026

1.4 in

121%

227%

+0.3 in

Above median

Snowpack now: SWE 1.4 in
Median for this date: 1.1 in
121% of median · Above median
Water-year precipitation: 5.3 in vs 2.3 in average (227%)
Last 7 days: +0.3 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Brumley · Saint Elmo · South Colony
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Browns Canyon, Fisherman's Bridge to Hecla Junction
Royal Gorge, Parkdale to Canon City
Salida Town Run, Chaffee County whitewater park

Upper Colorado mainstemFeeds 8 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.4 in

—

+0.2 in

Early season

Snowpack now: SWE 0.4 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 1.6 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: +0.2 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Arapaho Ridge · Berthoud Summit · Bison Lake · Buffalo Park · Fool Creek · High Lonesome · Jones Pass · Lake Irene · Lynx Pass · Middle Fork Camp · Phantom Valley · Stillwater Creek · Willow Creek Pass
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Gore Canyon, Blue River confluence to Pumphouse
Upper Colorado, Pumphouse to Radium
Upper Colorado, Radium to State Bridge (past Rancho del Rio)
Upper Colorado, State Bridge to Catamount
Upper Colorado, Catamount to Burns
Upper Colorado, Burns to Dotsero
Glenwood Canyon, Shoshone area, Glenwood Canyon
Colorado River, Glenwood Springs to Rifle

Roaring ForkFeeds 1 run · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.6 in

—

+0.1 in

Early season

Snowpack now: SWE 0.6 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 2.9 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: +0.1 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Castle Peak · Chapman Tunnel · Independence Pass · Ivanhoe · Kiln · Nast Lake · North Lost Trail · Schofield Pass
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Roaring Fork, Carbondale to Glenwood Springs

Eagle RiverFeeds 1 run · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.1 in

—

47%

0.0 in

Early season

Snowpack now: SWE 0.1 in
Median for this date: 0.6 in
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 1.3 in vs 2.9 in average (47%)
Last 7 days: 0.0 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Beaver Ck Village · Mccoy Park · Vail Mountain
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Eagle River, Eagle River valley near Vail and Edwards

Blue RiverFeeds 2 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.1 in

—

0.0 in

Early seasonDam-regulated

Snowpack now: SWE 0.1 in
Median for this date: 0.9 in
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 1.2 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: 0.0 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Copper Mountain · Elliot Ridge · Fremont Pass · Grizzly Peak · Summit Ranch
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Dam-regulated: Dam-regulated: Green Mountain Reservoir. Flows on this river also depend on reservoir releases — snowpack alone does not determine flows. Applies to the river below the reservoir. The section above it is mostly snowmelt.
Runs this basin feeds: Blue River, Above Green Mountain: Hammer Ridge to Columbine Landing
Blue River, Below Green Mountain Reservoir

Gunnison (incl. Taylor)Feeds 3 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

1.1 in

—

0.0 in

Early seasonDam-regulated

Snowpack now: SWE 1.1 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: — (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: 0.0 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Butte · Columbine Pass · Idarado · Mc Clure Pass · Overland Res. · Park Cone · Park Reservoir · Porphyry Creek · Slumgullion · Upper Taylor · Wager Gulch
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Dam-regulated: Dam-regulated: Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Aspinall Unit. Flows on this river also depend on reservoir releases — snowpack alone does not determine flows. Applies to the Gunnison Gorge and Lower Gunnison. The Taylor is controlled by Taylor Park Reservoir.
Runs this basin feeds: Gunnison Gorge, Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
Taylor River, Taylor Canyon near Almont
Lower Gunnison, Delta to Grand Junction area

Dolores / San MiguelFeeds 2 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

1.1 in

—

−0.1 in

Early seasonDam-regulated

Snowpack now: SWE 1.1 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: — (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: −0.1 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Alta Lakes · Black Mesa · El Diente Peak · Lizard Head Pass · Lone Cone · Scotch Creek · Sharkstooth
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Dam-regulated: Dam-regulated: McPhee Reservoir. Flows on this river also depend on reservoir releases — snowpack alone does not determine flows. Applies to the Dolores below the dam. The San Miguel has no major dams.
Runs this basin feeds: Dolores River, Slickrock to Bedrock
San Miguel River, Placerville area

San Juan (incl. Animas, Piedra)Feeds 5 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

1.9 in

—

352%

+0.5 in

Early seasonDam-regulated

Snowpack now: SWE 1.9 in
Median for this date: 0.7 in
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 10.6 in vs 3.0 in average (352%)
Last 7 days: +0.5 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Cascade #2 · Columbus Basin · Mancos · Mineral Creek · Molas Lake · Red Mountain Pass · Spud Mountain · Stump Lakes · Upper San Juan · Vallecito · Weminuche Creek · Wolf Creek Summit
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Dam-regulated: Dam-regulated: Navajo Dam. Flows on this river also depend on reservoir releases — snowpack alone does not determine flows. Applies to the San Juan in Utah. The Animas, Piedra and Pagosa runs are not controlled by Navajo Dam.
Runs this basin feeds: Animas River, Durango town run
Piedra River, Piedra River canyon near Pagosa Springs
San Juan River, Pagosa Springs town stretch
San Juan River (UT), Upper: Sand Island to Mexican Hat
San Juan River (UT), Lower: Mexican Hat to Clay Hills

Green — Dinosaur / Flaming GorgeFeeds 2 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.2 in

—

+0.2 in

Early seasonDam-regulated

Snowpack now: SWE 0.2 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 3.0 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: +0.2 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Big Sandy Opening · Blacks Fork Jct · Blind Bull Sum · Buck Pasture · EF Blacks Fork GS · Elkhart Park G.S. · Hams Fork · Hewinta · Hickerson Park · Hole-in-Rock · Indian Creek · Kelley R.S. · Kendall R.S. · Loomis Park · New Fork Lake · Snider Basin · Spirit Lk · Spring Creek Divide · Steel Creek Park · Triple Peak
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Dam-regulated: Dam-regulated: Flaming Gorge Dam. Flows on this river also depend on reservoir releases — snowpack alone does not determine flows. Applies to the Green River runs below the dam.
Runs this basin feeds: Gates of Lodore, Gates of Lodore to Split Mountain
Split Mountain, Split Mountain Canyon, Dinosaur National Monument

Green — DesolationFeeds 1 run · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.5 in

—

+0.4 in

Early season

Snowpack now: SWE 0.5 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 6.3 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: +0.4 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Brown Duck · Buck Flat · Chepeta · Corral · Currant Creek · Daniels-Strawberry · East Willow Creek · Five Points Lake · Huntington Horse · Kings Cabin · Lakefork #1 · Lakefork #3 · Lakefork Basin · Mosby Mtn. · Red Pine Ridge · Rock Creek · Seeley Creek · Strawberry Divide · Timberline · Trout Creek · Upper Joes Valley · White River #1 · Wilbur Bench · Wrigley Creek
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Desolation and Gray Canyons, Sand Wash to Swasey's Rapid

Yampa–WhiteFeeds 3 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.2 in

—

+0.2 in

Early season

Snowpack now: SWE 0.2 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 2.8 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: +0.2 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Battle Mountain · Bear River · Burro Mountain · Crosho · Divide Peak · Dry Lake · Elk River · Elkhead Divide · Little Snake River · Lost Dog · Rabbit Ears · Ripple Creek · Sandstone RS · Tower · Trapper Lake · Whiskey Park
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Yampa River, Steamboat Springs town run
Cross Mountain Canyon, Yampa River near Maybell
Yampa Canyon, Deerlodge Park to Split Mountain

Rio Grande headwaters (CO)Feeds 1 run · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

2.2 in

—

+0.0 in

Early season

Snowpack now: SWE 2.2 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 7.5 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: +0.0 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Beartown · Cochetopa Pass · Culebra #2 · Elwood Pass · Grayback · Hayden Pass · Lily Pond · Medano Pass · Middle Creek · Moon Pass · Rat Creek · Sargents Mesa · Trinchera · Upper Rio Grande · Ute Creek
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Rio Grande, Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork

North PlatteFeeds 1 run · as of Oct 31, 2026

0.9 in

85%

60%

+0.2 in

Below median

Snowpack now: SWE 0.9 in
Median for this date: 1.0 in
85% of median · Below median
Water-year precipitation: 1.9 in vs 3.2 in average (60%)
Last 7 days: +0.2 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Columbine · Never Summer · Rawah · Zirkel
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: North Platte, Northgate Canyon near the Wyoming line

Front Range / South Platte headwatersFeeds 2 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.3 in

—

0.0 in

Early season

Snowpack now: SWE 0.3 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 1.7 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: 0.0 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
SNOTEL stations: Bear Lake · Black Mountain · Buckskin Joe · Copeland Lake · Deadman Hill · Echo Lake · Hoosier Pass · Hourglass Lake · Jackwhacker Gulch · Joe Wright · Lake Eldora · Long Draw Resv · Loveland Basin · Michigan Creek · Niwot · Rough And Tumble · Sawtooth · University Camp · Wild Basin · Willow Park
Stations with a current reading, grouped by watershed. Averaged for the basin.
Runs this basin feeds: Cache la Poudre, Poudre Canyon, Fort Collins
Clear Creek, Idaho Springs to Golden

Lower Colorado (UT)Feeds 4 runs · as of Oct 31, 2026Upstream aggregate — combined Upper Colorado + Green River snowpack.Early season — median too low for a meaningful %

0.4 in

—

+0.3 in

Early seasonDam-regulated

Snowpack now: SWE 0.4 in
Median for this date: —
Early season — median too low for a meaningful %
Water-year precipitation: 3.6 in (no average on file, so no % of average)
Last 7 days: +0.3 in
NRCS SNOTEL, provisional, as of Oct 31, 2026
Official forecast: Official CBRFC April–July forecast: not yet issued for this season (first forecasts are published in January).
Stations: No stations of its own. Values combine the Upper Colorado mainstem, Green — Dinosaur / Flaming Gorge, Green — Desolation basins.
Upstream aggregate — combined Upper Colorado + Green River snowpack.
Dam-regulated: Dam-regulated: Flaming Gorge Dam. Flows on this river also depend on reservoir releases — snowpack alone does not determine flows. Reaches this stretch through the Green River upstream.
Runs this basin feeds: Ruby-Horsethief, Loma to Westwater put-in
Westwater Canyon, Westwater Ranch to Cisco Landing
Moab Daily, Colorado River near Moab
Cataract Canyon, Confluence of the Green and Colorado, Canyonlands

About Wavetrain · hello@thewavetrain.com

Wavetrain is an early build. Flow readings are USGS provisional data and may be revised. Runnable ranges and run details are drafts for paddlers to review. Permit dates and rules come from the agency pages linked on each permit and can change. Snowpack figures come from NRCS SNOTEL stations, are provisional, and are grouped into basins by watershed, so they may differ from official NRCS basin reports. Nothing here replaces scouting, local knowledge or a conversation with a nearby outfitter.