By Justin Ramsey
The NRCS SnoTel station atop Wolf Creek Pass reached a Snow Water Equivalency (SWE) of 0” on May 10 — a full three weeks earlier than the median. The median date for reaching a SWE of 0” is May 31.
Per the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) Drought Management Plan, we would have triggered the Voluntary Drought Stage had the SWE occurred 2 days earlier on May 8. Although we are not yet in a Voluntary Drought Stage, the unseasonably high temperatures and winds will make for a high water use season.
Our weekly water use has increased by 2 million gallons over last year’s weekly usage.
The District is requesting everyone conserve water and use outside irrigation sparingly. Please do not water between 9:00am and 6:00pm. Watering during the hottest part of the day wastes water as a significant portion of the irrigation water evaporates prior to percolating into the soil, wasting not only water but your money. Additionally, please fix leaky fixtures and pass this information on to your neighbors and friends.
We will all need to work together and be very diligent to assure we have adequate water resources to get us through the upcoming hot dry summer months.
Justin Ramsey, PE is District Engineer/Manager for Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District.