Although snowfall in the Arkansas and Rio Grande basins were near normal this year, it is not enough to relieve the on-going drought in the Wet Mountain Valley. According to a new study conducted by the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), runoff will peak two to three weeks ahead of an average year. In addition, the runoff will be less than normal. The article continues after a word from our Premier Sponsor: “Drought conditions began to develop in the early fall of 2019. Below average rainfall during the summer and into the fall depleted soil moisture and groundwater going into the winter. Those dry soils and groundwater reservoirs are currently absorbing snow melt that would run off in a wetter…