Mesa County supports federal bill to improve snowpack and water supply forecasting
On Jan. 6, Mesa County Commissioners unanimously approved a letter supporting the Snowpack Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act, now under consideration by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The bill has already passed the U.S. House and would reauthorize a key federal program that helps western states better measure snowpack and forecast water supplies.
Snowpack is one of the primary sources of water for Western Colorado. Accurate, timely forecasting helps water managers plan for:
- Municipal and agricultural water needs
- Drought and flood risk
- Changing weather and watershed conditions
The legislation would reauthorize the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through fiscal year 2031 and update how forecasts are developed. The program is administered by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Key provisions include:
- Using modern technologies that provide more accurate and complete snowpack measurements
- Integrating real-time data and modeling into water supply forecasts
- Focusing efforts in river basins where improved data can better inform water management decisions
- Building capacity among program partners to adapt to new forecasting tools
In the approved letter, the Board of County Commissioners expressed support for improving snow and water supply forecasting tools that help communities respond to changing conditions and make informed water management decisions across the West.
The bill, H.R. 3857 – Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025, is available on Congress.gov.
Residents can also view the approved letter on Mesa County’s public meeting portal.
