The Snowpack levels for Colorado have been released and the situation for farmers and other industries throughout the state is looking grim. The snowpack as of May First is around a quarter of what is usually is this time of year. The Gunnison River Basin is being fed by only 14 percent of last year. Assistant Snow Survey Supervisor Mage Skordahl with the Natural Resources Conservation Service says that most of the snowpack is already gone.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

However, water managers have managed to keep reservoirs full but Skordahl also says that even though the reservoirs are full, residents still need to be water conscious. 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The ones most affected by the low snowpack levels are the farmers who have already been cut down to seventy percent of their normal water. Restaurant owner and local farmer David O Johnson explains that the cut is multiplied when the water finally gets onto the farm

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The low amount of water has even forced farmers to cut back their crop production and leave some of their acreage bare.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

So with water already being cut back in the valley, residents should look at cutting back their water usage. Click here for 100 ways to conserve water.