HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 1/17/2017 - Memorandum From Donnie Dustin Re: Current Water Supply ConditionsUtilities Executive Director
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700 Wood St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6702
970.416.2208
970.224.6003 TDD
utilities@fcgov.com
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M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: January 10, 2017
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Donnie Dustin, P.E., Water Resources Manager
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
RE: Current Water Supply Conditions
Bottom Line:
Hot, dry conditions this past summer and fall currently have our region in drought conditions.
However, Fort Collins Utilities’ water supplies are constantly monitored and are currently in good
shape. At this time, no mandatory water restrictions are anticipated this year. Utilities staff will
continue to monitor water supply conditions and update City Council if drought conditions worsen.
Background:
June through October of 2016 was one of the driest and warmest periods on record in our region,
with only 2.22 inches of precipitation (28 percent of average) and monthly average daily maximum
temperatures being up to 8.6 degrees above average. These climatic conditions currently have
Larimer County in moderate to severe drought conditions per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
In spite of these drought conditions, the Utilities’ water supplies are still in pretty good shape (along
with other regional water providers). Prior to icing conditions on the Poudre River, flows were about
90 percent of average. Despite the shutdown of the Michigan Ditch for the tunnel work that was
completed this past fall, supplies from Joe Wright Reservoir are very close to average for this time of
year. Also, current Colorado-Big Thompson Project (CBT) storage is around 125 percent of average,
which should provide for adequate allocations from the project to all CBT unit owners for at least the
next two years. CBT water provides about half of the Utilities’ supplies on average. Lastly, current
snowpack in the South Platte basin is 133 percent of average.
Utilities staff will continue to monitor water supply and drought conditions. It is not currently
anticipated that mandatory water restrictions will be required for 2017. However, if drought
conditions persist or worsen to the point of requiring restrictions, staff will update City Council and
is prepared to respond with the Water Supply Shortage Response Plan (updated in City code in
2014), that includes an internal Water Shortage Management Action Plan.
As always, Utilities continually promotes water efficiency and a conservation ethic to ensure the wise
use of our precious water resources. These efforts contributed to a 33 percent decrease in water use
since 2000; average use was down to 141 gallons per capita per day in 2015. Conservation programs
in 2015 alone resulted in 50 million gallons of water saved.
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