Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District continues to monitor its water resources during the current drought conditions, and customers remain subject to drought management ‘Stage 2’ watering restrictions and special rates for excessive water use.
Drought Stage Trigger Points
The recent rains have maintained the flows in the San Juan River and have reduced the drop in Hatcher Reservoir, however the current Hatcher Reservoir level coupled with the San Juan river flows will keep the District in Stage 2 Drought Restrictions per the 2026 Drought Management Plan.
Median San Juan River flows for yesterday were 22 cfs; last year’s flow on July 27 was 40 cfs. San Juan River Flows as measured at the USGS San Juan River gauge.
The National Integrated Drought Information System continues to show Archuleta County in Severe Drought.
Stage 2 requirements are:
Irrigation permitted only between 9pm to 9pm based upon address
Odd numbered addresses may irrigate on odd numbered calendar days while even numbered addresses may irrigate on even numbered days. This rule applies to residential raw water users as well as users of treated PAWSD water.
Irrigation is permitted Monday – Friday Only. Weekend watering is prohibited.
Gardens (edible and ornamental) may be hand watered using a hose or drip irrigation.
Restaurants shall serve water only upon the request of customers.
Hotels encouraged to replace towels and bed linens for new guests and at the request of existing guests.
The goal of Stage 2 restrictions is to reduce District wide water use by 20 to 30 percent. 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 Evapotranspiration, meaning much of the sprayed water evaporates or drifts away before it can benefit plants. By irrigating from about 9pm to 9pm, 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. Alternating irrigation days by address reduces daily peak demands. Disallowing weekend irrigation reduces overall water consumption.
The water rate tier multiplier of 2x for residential flows above 4,000 gallons remains in effect.
The District greatly appreciates everyone’s continued diligence in conserving water. If you have any questions regarding the current Drought Management Plan, answers can be found on the PAWSD website at https://www.pawsd.org/water-service/water-conservation/