Northwest Colorado continues to fall deeper into drought with extreme conditions now widespread. Eagle County drought intensity was elevated to “extreme” by the U.S. Drought Monitor, joining Garfield, Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt, and parts of Grand, Jackson, Larimer, Summit, Pitkin, and Mesa counties.
Drought intensity throughout Colorado is worsening. The June 12 map, released Thursday, shows 20 percent of the state is designated as being in an extreme drought, 9 percent more than last week. Extreme drought is classified as “D3” on the drought intensity scale of D0 to D4.
All of Colorado continues to experience some level of drought and the areas least affected are shrinking. Last week, 24 percent of the state was designated as D0, “abnormally dry,” which dropped to 9 percent this week.
Drought conditions reflect this winter’s record low snowpack, including the driest March on record in Colorado, the warmest March through May on record, and windy conditions. Streamflows have been correspondingly low. Eagle County waterways are flowing at about 30 percent of historical averages and peak runoff was early and hardly noticeable in some streams.
Our community water supply is largely dependent upon adequate flows in local streams and rivers. Eagle River Water and Sanitation District encourages community members to lessen the impact of drought by efficiently using water, especially in outdoor areas.
Should drought conditions persist, water available for irrigation and other outdoor uses may be less than normal, or unavailable, this year. Currently, normal year-round Water Use Regulations apply, which allow outdoor water use up to three days per week, before 10 am or after 4 pm.
For more information go to Eagle River Water & Sanitation District or call Customer Service at 970-477-5451.