Not much has changed since my last blog post on July 5, 2026. The Centennial State is still dealing with a horrible drought and scary-low water levels in our reservoirs. I’ve been truly blessed to work this summer, whereas many of my guide friends in other parts of the state have had to find another source of income.

Tailwaters remain your best option. Many tailraces are running low, so watch the water temperatures closely and quit fishing when they reach 67 degrees.

Here’s a look at some of the river outflows as of September 1, 2026. Don’t forget to check my stream report for updated conditions on many of these streams.

• South Platte River below Spinney Mountain Reservoir: 64 cfs
• South Platte River below Eleven Mile Reservoir: 68 cfs
• South Platte River below Cheesman Reservoir: 105 cfs
• South Platte River below Strontia Springs Reservoir: 73 cfs
• Williams Fork below Williams Fork Reservoir: 79 cfs
• Blue River below Dillon Reservoir: 54 cfs
• Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir: 256 cfs
• Taylor River below Taylor Park Reservoir: 87 cfs

The reservoir storage  is a huge concern. Here is the current storage for many of the state’s still-water impoundments:

• Cheesman Reservoir: 67%
• Eleven Mile Reservoir: 101%
• Dillon Reservoir: 67%
• Lake Granby: 55%
• Ruedi Reservoir: 47%
• Stagecoach Reservoir: 65%
• Blue Mesa Reservoir: 22%
• Spinney Mountain Reservoir: 40%
• Williams Fork Reservoir: 30%
• Green Mountain Reservoir: 20%

According to the weather experts, we’re supposed to get a strong El Niño this winter, which should increase our odds of getting snow across Colorado. El Niño occurs when warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures develop in the tropical Pacific and can influence weather patterns across the country. A strong El Niño could be just what Colorado needs after such a brutal water year, bringing increased snowfall and, hopefully, much-needed moisture to our mountains and reservoirs.

For those of us who make our living on Colorado’s rivers, this drought has been a huge reminder of just how dependent we are on Mother Nature. Low flows and warm water have made things challenging, but they’ve also reminded me not to take a good water year for granted. Hopefully, this winter will bring plenty of snow to the high country and give our rivers and reservoirs a much-needed recharge. Until then, pray for rain, keep your fingers crossed, and appreciate every day we get to spend on the water. My biggest fear is this current trend might be the “new normal” but hopefully I am wrong.