The four Steamboat Springs area water districts – Mount Werner Water, City of Steamboat Springs, Steamboat II Metro District and Tree Haus Metro District – have decided to wait on implementing mandatory stage 2 water restrictions at this time.
“We’re definitely in a different position than this time last year as we’re still seeing snow full of moisture accumulate at higher elevations,” said Frank Alfone, Mount Werner Water District General Manager. “Based on current conditions combined with forecasts, I’m cautiously optimistic about our current levels of water reserves as we look through the summer.”
Following a mostly cool and wet April, the Tower Site on Buffalo Pass was reporting, as of May 1, 131 inches of snow, climbing over a foot in the past two days, and a snow water equivalent of 53.6 inches (115% of average). Overall, the Yampa & White River Basins snowpack is 107% of average and 147% compared to last year.
Run-off is expected to be at or near average with a modest chance that run-off would be accelerated due to projected higher 2019 summer temperatures. Steamboat depends upon a combination of natural flows and reservoir releases from the Fish Creek watershed to carry it through the summer, fall and winter.
“While the area has seen important rain and snow, we still need everyone to do their part, even without restrictions in place, to conserve water,” said Jon Snyder, Public Works Director for the City of Steamboat Springs. “We’ll continue to monitor conditions and storage levels as we move into summer and will not hesitate to implement mandatory restrictions if required.”
Through the community’s continued efforts to reduce water demands, we’re able to strike a balance between conserving water supplies in the reservoirs and maintaining the riparian health of Fish Creek and the Yampa River. Stage 2 water restrictions were enacted five of the past eight summers, including 2018, 2017, 2015, 2013 and 2012.
Rebates for water-efficient replacement toilets, dishwashers and clothes washers are still available for Mount Werner Water customers by calling the Mount Werner Water office, 879-2424, or for city customers by calling City Hall, 970-871-6303.
For more information on water saving tips and a list of drought-resistant plant species, please visit the city or district websites: steamboatsprings.net, mwwater.com, steamboat2metro.com and treehausmetrodistrict.com.
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