Stunning satellite images reveal Colorado lake dramatically shrinking amid severe drought

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Before and After: Drought interaction connected Colorado's Lake Dillon

New outer imagery shows the interaction of drought connected Lake Dillon adjacent Silverthorne, Colorado. The reservoir’s debased h2o levels person exposed a agelong of Old Highway 6 that is typically submerged. Compare the latest presumption from Nov. 5 with imagery from September 2019, erstwhile the reservoir was mostly full. Image: @vantortech

THE TAKEAWAY: 

  • Lake Dillon is showing effects of persistent drought conditions.
  • Satellite imagery released by Vantor, shows the melodramatic changes to the reservoir implicit time.
  • In November, Denver Water reported Lake Dillon had fallen to conscionable 60% of its full capacity.

Lake Dillon, a large h2o root for Colorado's Front Range, is showing the effects of persistent drought conditions, with h2o levels dropping and the reservoir's shoreline retreating.

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The shrinking reservoir is raising concerns arsenic Colorado continues to grapple with adust conditions.

Satellite imagery released by Vantor, shows the melodramatic changes to the reservoir implicit time, with Lake Dillon appearing smaller betwixt 2019 and 2026 compared to imagery from 2016 to 2019.

Satellite imagery captured successful November 2026 reveals the exposed agelong of Old Highway 6 beneath Lake Dillon arsenic h2o levels receded. 

(Satellite representation ©2026 Vantor / FOX Weather)

The footage besides reveals a striking alteration successful the surrounding landscape. Areas that appeared greenish and lush successful imagery from 2016 done 2019 person go noticeably browner and much exposed successful the much caller outer images.

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According to Denver Water, Lake Dillon’s h2o levels person fallen importantly successful 2026.

In August, Lake Dillon was 73% afloat of its full capacity. 

Satellite imagery captured successful September 2019 shows h2o covering Old Highway 6 beneath Lake Dillon.

(Satellite representation ©2026 Vantor / FOX Weather)

The diminution continued successful the autumn arsenic record-low streamflows, precocious temperatures and accrued h2o request compounded Colorado's drought conditions.

Then by September 2026, the water had fallen to astir two-thirds of its capacity, good beneath its emblematic levels for that clip of year. 

Satellite imagery captured successful November 2026 highlights the impacts of ongoing drought conditions connected Lake Dillon.

(Satellite representation ©2026 Vantor / FOX Weather)

The organization reported connected Oct. 1 that the reservoir was 34 feet beneath its mean level. 

By November, Lake Dillon had fallen to conscionable 60% of its full capableness amid Colorado's ongoing drought.

Meanwhile, Lake Dillon was 100% afloat successful 2019 and successful 2017. 

Satellite imagery captured successful September 2019 amusement Lake Dillon 100% full. 

(Satellite representation ©2026 Vantor / FOX Weather)

The drought affecting Colorado is portion of a larger water-supply situation crossed the Colorado River Basin, which has experienced its lowest 16-year play of inflow successful much than a century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. 

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However, owed to the upcoming Super El Niño, experts judge that upwind signifier could bring much precipitation to the region. This could assistance with the ongoing drought. 

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