In May 2018, the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) Board of Directors approved the Drought Management Plan, which was updated in 2020. The Plan sets trigger points for Voluntary drought procedures, and four mandatory drought restriction stages from Low through Severe.
The trigger points for the Voluntary Drought Restrictions are any one of the following:
- A curtailment order on Four Mile Creek prior to May 1.
- A maximum Snow Water Equivalency (SWE) less than 75% of Median.
- Reservoir levels with the addition of diversion flow less than 90%.
The Voluntary water reduction stage is intended to give the community advanced notice of developing drought conditions, and to begin to foster water conservation and voluntary water use reduction with a reduction goal of 10%. The Voluntary stage does not trigger the drought surcharge or tier rate multipliers.
With a curtailment order on Four Mile Creek received April 30, 2025, the District is implementing Voluntary Drought Restrictions as of Monday, May 5, 2025.
PAWSD will implement Level 1 mandatory drought restrictions in the event the reservoir levels drop below 70%.
Voluntary Water Conservation Tips
- Water grass/landscapes early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent water lost to evaporation. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage healthy root growth.
- Consider installing drip irrigation for landscapes.
- Use a broom or rake to clean hard surfaces instead of water.
- Ensure your washing machine and dishwasher are full to capacity before running the load.
The Drought Management Plan can be found at: https://www.pawsd.org/water-service/water-conservation/.
