By Justin Ramsey
Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District remains in Drought Stage 1, which limits irrigation to between the hours 6pm and 9am, and imposes a tier rate multiplier of 1.25 for residential users using more than 5,000 gallons per month.
Hatcher Reservoir and the flow in the San Juan River are holding constant. The National Integrated Drought Information System has placed our area into a Severe Drought (reducing it from Extreme Drought).
In our area, it’s most effective to irrigate between evening and early morning because the cooler, calmer conditions allow water to soak into the soil instead of being lost to the sun and wind. During the day, high temperatures, low humidity, and frequent afternoon winds drive up Evaporation, meaning much of the sprayed water evaporates or drifts away before it can benefit plants. By irrigating from about 6pm to 9am, more water reaches the root zone, coverage is more uniform, and plants are better able to absorb moisture, making the process both more efficient and healthier for vegetation.
The District greatly appreciates everyone’s continued diligence in conserving water. If you have any questions regarding the current Drought Management Plan, it can be found on the website at https://www.pawsd.org/water-service/water-conservation/
Justin Ramsey is district engineer for Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation (PAWSD).