As of press time Wednesday, the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) remained in its voluntary drought stage, but could enter a higher drought stage in upcoming weeks, according to a report from PAWSD District Engineer Justin Ramsey.
Ramsey’s report indicates that, according to district’s drought triggers, which include flows in the San Juan River, levels in PAWSD’s Lake Hatcher and the snow water equivalent (SWE) levels at the SNOwpack TELemetry Network (SNOTEL) station on the upper San Juan River, the district is currently experiencing voluntary drought, which comes with no restrictions but where customers are asked to conserve water.
However, Ramsey notes that the drought stage is likely to change in upcoming days or weeks, with falling SWE levels likely to move the district into drought stage one or two.
He states that the average SWE level for April 13 at the SNOTEL site is 32.3 inches and that the current level is 1.7 inches, although recent snow has prevented these levels from dropping to zero so far.
On April 15, following Tuesday’s snow, the SWE was at 2.4 inches for the site.
He adds that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Integrated Drought Information System recently upgraded all of Archuleta County from severe drought to extreme drought.
If the SWE levels hit zero before April 17, Ramsey indicates, the district would immediately enter stage two drought, while it will enter stage one drought if the SWE reaches zero between April 17 and May 1.
According to Ramsey, stage one drought limits irrigation to between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. and applies a 1.25 times charge multiplier to residential water use exceeding 5,000 gallons a month.
Stage two drought limits irrigation to between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m., and watering is only allowed on even or odd days depending on street address, Ramsey states.
He adds that this stage also includes a two-times charge multiplier for residential water use above 4,000 gallons per month.
In an interview, Ramsey commented that the drought conditions are historically poor, although he noted that all of PAWSD’s reservoirs are currently full, which has not happened in some years.
He added that the district reaching stage two drought due to SWE falling to zero before April 17 is less likely due to recent snowstorms, but an increase in the drought stage in the near future is still probable.
Ramsey noted that these drought stage calculations incorporate the changes to PAWSD’s drought management plan approved at the April 9 meeting of the PAWSD Board of Directors, which include shifting the SWE trigger dates for certain drought stages earlier in the year to ensure the district starts conserving water in a timely fashion.
Ramsey also emphasized the importance of reducing water use and conserving water now to ensure enough water is available in the summer and to reduce overall drought reduction measures as much as possible.
Ramsey’s report closes by expressing the district’s appreciation for customers’ continued diligence in conserving water and by noting that the district’s drought management plan is available on PAWSD’s website at www.pawsd.org/water-service/water-conservation/.
josh@pagosasun.com
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