Streamflow at the Dolores-Colorado gauge reached 116 cfs this week, up 705.6% week over week and 40% above the five-year median, per USGS. The reading reverses a recent slide to 9.8 cfs. Blue Mesa Reservoir extended its drawdown, falling 8% on the week to 148,569 af, 66% below the five-year median (Bureau of Reclamation).

• Salt-Gila streamflow reached 547 cfs, up 252.9% week over week and 134% above the five-year median (USGS).
• Elephant Butte Reservoir storage was flat on the week at 27,873 af, 75% below the five-year median (Bureau of Reclamation). Per the NIDIS Aug 20, 2026 drought status update, major reservoirs in the Colorado and Rio Grande basins have reached historic lows.
• Colorado state drought covers 88% of area in D1-D4 conditions, 51 percentage points above the five-year median (US Drought Monitor). Coverage eased 1 point on the week.
• Yakima County drought coverage stands at 75%, 43 percentage points above the five-year median (US Drought Monitor).
• Yampa-Green streamflow sits at 26 cfs, 82% below the five-year median and the deepest streamflow deficit in the tracked network (USGS).

Allocations (standing status): SWP statewide stands at 45% of contract, per the Department of Water Resources (announced May 1, 2026). CVP north-of-Delta irrigation, M&I, Sacramento River settlement and American River M&I (Folsom) allocations all stand at 100%, per the Bureau of Reclamation (announced Feb 26, 2026). No allocation changes this reporting period.

Data note: CVP cross-valley irrigation and CVP south-of-delta irrigation allocation figures have not updated in over two weeks; treat those series as stale.

The Waterline reports public data from the US Bureau of Reclamation, USGS, the US Drought Monitor, and state water agencies. It is not investment, legal, or water-rights advice. Allocations and drought classes are reported as published by their agencies; we do not forecast them.