Western water woes deepen, raising drought fears

A person and their dog walk at Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, on March 26, 2026, as lake levels remain low due to poor snowfall during the winter, raising drought concerns.

A person rides their bike in front of Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, on March 26, 2026, as the reservoir sits at a low level before spring snowmelt begins refilling it. Water managers fear the poor snowfall this winter means the lake will receive far less water than normal, raising drought concerns.

Kayaks stored for the winter sit far from the waterline of Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, on March 26, 2026, after poor snowfall is raising concerns about summer drought.

A person and their dog walk at Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, on March 26, 2026, as lake levels remain low due to poor snowfall during the winter, raising drought concerns.

Children’s toys sit on the sand of Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, on March 26, 2026, after poor snowfall is raising concerns about summer drought. The lake’s level is significantly below where it normally is this time of year, and water managers fear it won’t refill because there’s not enough snow to melt.

A dock that normally sits in the water of Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, on March 26, 2026, sits high and dry. Normally melting snow would be rushing in to refill the reservoir in the spring.

People walk at Lake Dillon in Frisco, Colorado, on March 26, 2026, as lake levels remain low due to poor snowfall during the winter, raising drought concerns. Behind them are docks sitting in mud.