Watch CBS News

Snowpack Reaches Record Numbers In Northern Mountains

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) - Officials are saying Colorado's snowpack has reached unbelievable levels in the northern mountains.

The Greeley Tribune reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service measured snowpack in Poudre Canyon that reached more than 160 inches, or almost 13.5 feet, at one point.

Officials say the snow was almost too deep to measure in some places. They say the snow usually starts to decline this time of year.

Weld County public works officials are worried about the melting snow's effect on the Poudre River. They say the river could flow at 6,000 cubic feet per second, or 1,700 cfs more than last spring. Crews are removing debris to prevent log jams when the streamflow increases.

Almost 80 percent of the state's water comes from mountain snowpack.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.