No changes in flooding closures

The Rio Grande has risen enough to cause minor flooding in South Fork.

VALLEY – Mountain runoff is containing and there have been no changes in the closures issued by Rio Grande and Mineral counties and the National Forest Service. The Rio Grande is closed until further notice to recreational activities.

The Associated Press reported that the heavy snowmelt is pouring out of the Rocky Mountains and into the drought-stricken rivers of the southwestern U.S.

Enough snow fell last winter to delay a water shortage in the region, but the runoff is threatening to push some streams over their banks.

Much of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming had above-average snowfall. As it melts, an abundance of water is rushing into the Colorado River, the Rio Grande and other waterways.

It’s a big change after a desperately dry 2018.

Federal officials said last winter there was a better than 50 percent chance of a shortage in the Colorado River in 2020. That could have meant less water for Arizona, which has low-priority rights.

Officials now say the shortage might be put off until after 2021.


Video News