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As your local water provider, we have a responsibility to maintain and protect your water supply to help ensure the health, safety and economic vitality of our community. We carefully monitor several factors to determine our current supply of water, including levels of our reservoirs, snowpack and forecasted stream flow.

Precipitation Temperature
(Average)		 Demand Reservoir
Levels		 Demand
in Storage
November
1.78 inches
(481% of normal)		 November
37.6 degrees
(2.0 degrees above normal)		 November 
41.7 MGD*
(3.6% greater than Nov. 2023)

Pikes Peak: 58%

Rampart: 64%

Local Total: 62%

System Total: 78%

Local: 217 days

System: 3.0 years
Year-to-Date
15.69 inches
(100% of normal)		 Year-to-Date
54.1 degrees
(1.9 degrees above normal)		 Year-to-Date
66.1 MGD*
(2.0 billion gallons more than 2023)
As of Dec. 1, 2024 *MGD = Million Gallons/Day

 

How We Determine Drought Response

We define drought as a period of below average precipitation at times and locations resulting in a shortage of water supply available to meet customer demands. We consistently review drought conditions and monitor the indicators defined below.

Water flows rapidly from a large mountain tunnel. Snow and ice are visible on both sides of the spillway. A person in a blue coat watches nearby.

Water Supply

Multiple factors taken together that determine supply will fall below 1.5 years of demand (monitored and then determined by April 1).

Key Measures

  • Snowpack
  • Streamflow
  • Precipitation
  • Wind
  • Soil Moisture
  • Temperature
The entrance to a brick building with the words "COLORADO SPRINGS FILTER PLANT" above the glass doors.

Operations

Attendant operational conditions and events that improve or strain current supply conditions.

Key measures

  • Total system storage
  • Local storage
  • Location of stored water
  • Customer demands
  • Operational constraints
A small body of water surrounded by dry and cracked ground. The day is sunny, indicating heat and dry conditions.

Drought Severity

Official determination and tracking according to multiple weather, climate and data sources.

Key Measures

Close-up view of a black sprinkler head in the center of a lush green lawn, with water spraying out in an arc pattern.

Water Savings

Must maintain one year of demand in storage at all times, including throughout any critical drought period. Must meet indoor use demand at all times.

Key measures

  • Outdoor water use curtailment at a level consistent with supply requirements.
  • Further prohibition of water waste.
  • Education, incentives and customer support.
  • Enforcement of water use curtailment.

Colorado Springs Utilities 

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