BV Water Conditions

Buena Vista Water Awareness & Drought Resilience Initiative

Understanding Our Water: A Community Approach to Drought Awareness and Resilience

This project is designed to help residents, businesses, and visitors better understand current drought conditions and the importance of responsible water allocation in the Upper Arkansas River Basin. By translating complex hydrologic data (such as snowpack levels, reservoir inflows, and drought status) into accessible, locally relevant information, the Town aims to build a shared understanding of water scarcity challenges.

This effort also raises awareness of the Town’s proactive strategies to manage water resources sustainably, ensuring long-term community resilience amid increasing climate variability.

Key reference sources include:

• U.S. Drought Monitor (Colorado conditions)

• NRCS SNOTEL and Colorado Snowpack Data

• Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District

• Natural Resources Conservation Service

Water Awareness and Conservation Initiatives

• Increase Public Awareness and Understanding of Drought Conditions
  Provide clear, visual, and regularly updated information on local and statewide drought status.

• Translate Technical Water Data into Community-Relevant Insights
  Simplify snowpack (SNOTEL), inflow forecasts, and basin outlook data into actionable messaging.

• Promote Water Conservation Behaviors
  Leverage best practices and educational materials from Denver Water.

• Demonstrate Practical Water Stewardship
  Establish a Demonstration Garden showcasing drought-tolerant landscaping and efficient irrigation.

• Connect Residents to Real-Time Data Tools
  Highlight and link to:

  • Colorado Snowpack (SNOTEL) monitoring

  • U.S. Drought Monitor (Chaffee County conditions)

  • Water supply outlook reports and basin-level updates

Program Design and Delivery Framework:

This project includes the design, development, and implementation of a public-facing water awareness campaign consisting of:

• A centralized digital hub (Town website or Engagement HQ page)

• Curated links to key data sources, including:

  • Snowpack dashboards (SNOTEL / NRCS)

  • Drought maps (Colorado-specific)

  • Water supply outlook reports

  • Local basin and conservancy district updates

• Development of simplified visual summaries (charts, infographics, “What this means for BV”)

• Installation of a physical demonstration garden in a visible public location

• Community outreach through newsletters, social media, and public meetings

What the Community Will See and Use:

• A public-facing Water Awareness Page or Dashboard featuring:
  
  

  • Real-time drought status (Chaffee County)

  • Snowpack and water supply indicators

  • Conservation tips and seasonal guidance

  • Embedded or linked external data tools

• A Demonstration Garden illustrating:

  • Native/drought-tolerant plants

  • Efficient irrigation practices

  • Educational signage tied to local water conditions

• Supporting materials:

  • Infographics and explainer content

  • Quarterly or seasonal “Water Outlook” summaries

  • Integration with Town communications (newsletter, Engagement HQ, etc.)

Local and Regional Water Partners:

• Town of Buena Vista (Staff, Trustees, Planning & Public Works)

• Residents and local businesses

• Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District

• Natural Resources Conservation Service

• Denver Water

• Colorado River Water Conservation District / Arkansas Basin partners

• Local nonprofits and environmental groups

• Visitors and recreational users of the Arkansas River