Conditions continue critically dry with high fire danger and red flag conditions almost daily. Small lightning-caused grass fire in pasture at Zapata Ranch about ½ mile from this station on the 20th quickly extinguished by FD.

We should be at the peak of spring runoff now and for the next two weeks -- there is almost no snow on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains despite recent 0.19 received at this station 5/21 & 5/22.  Creeks in Trinchera drainage should currently be at runoff peak.  Based on long-term averages today's flow in the Trinchera Creeks are: Trinchera Creek: 9.3%; Ute Creek: 7.5%; Sangre de Cristo Creek: 0.04%

Reservoir storage water is being delivered to many stockholders in the Blanca-Ft Garland area knowing that without monsoon rains, the storage water may run out before finishing the crops. 

Spring grasses and other vegetation either not starting to grow, or are stunted and/or withering.  Grass crunches while walking through it.

At Great Sand Dunes National Park, the low-flow in Medano Creek (which normally flows between the dunes and the primary visitor access) is absent, diminishing the "park experience" and dissuading visitation.