Another month of deep snow brightens Colorado water outlook

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Mountains across Colorado had above-average snowfall for the third consecutive month in February, bringing more good news for water utilities, farmers, kayakers and others.

Federal water monitors say the deep snow means the state's water supplies could be the best in over a decade, with stream flows running better than 150 percent of average in some areas.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service reported Tuesday that this winter's accumulated snowpack is above average in each of Colorado's eight major river systems.

The snowpack ranges from 109 percent of the 30-year-average in the South Platte Basin to 169 percent in the Rio Grande Basin.

The statewide total is 135 percent of average.