Colorado River Levels Continue Falling on the Western Slope

The Colorado River appeared very stressed after the first week of May. Remember how low the water got? If not for two snowfall events in the Rocky Mountains last month, our river would look more like a creek for the end of June.

2026 is going to be a very challenging year for our rivers. We are already behind on rainfall, let alone snowfall from last winter, and June has the high desert heat in place, and it’s not even the first day of summer yet.

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How the Colorado River Looked in May 2026

Grand Junction Residents See a Smaller Colorado River In June — Canva Pro

In early May 2026, KKCO News 11 reported the Colorado River depth in Grand Junction had fallen below 3 feet in places. On the day of the May 6 photo (above), it was possible to run across the river near the Las Colonias landing. The late-spring snows came in May, and the river got a nice boost by May 30 (above-right). Mesa County remains in moderate to severe drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which means extra pressure on irrigation systems and water supplies.

How the Colorado River Looks in June 2026

Grand Junction said hello to the upper 90s on June 5 when the high temperature reached 97 degrees. This year, the valley arrives at the summer solstice far behind on precipitation. In January, February, and May, we’ve had about half the amount of precipitation we usually get, according to data from NWS. In March, there was next to no precipitation in Grand Junction.

April was just below normal. So, we are bone dry with zero precipitation for June (after 18 days). It’s starting to look like we may not have much of a river by August. In just a few days, the photos above already show it losing volume.

Colorado RIver at Eagle Rim — TSM GJ WA - 1

Can the Summer Monsoon Help the Colorado River Recover?

Perhaps Colorado’s summer monsoons will bring much-needed rain and not just lightning. The July to September season shows an equal chance for above or below precipitation this year (really?). On average, Grand Junction gets about 0.67 inches of rain in July, 0.91 inches in August, and 0.71 inches in September. Considering how far behind we are with rainfall, the amount of rain we would need to catch up would likely cause nasty flooding at this point.

LOOK: The Colorado River Starts High in the Rocky Mountains

A small lake high in Rocky Mountain National Park is the Colorado River's source. From its start, the Colorado River flows 1,450 miles to the Gulf of California.

KEEP GOING: Thirteen Cool Facts About Colorado’s Uncompahgre River

Western Colorado is home to the Colorado River, the Gunnison River, and the Uncompahgre River. As the smallest of the three, most people aren't as familiar with this important waterway serving Ridgway, Montrose, and Delta. Keep going to learn thirteen cool facts about the Uncompahgre River in western Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams