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
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Spring Water Update: A Message from BV Public Works
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As Buena Vista heads into spring, conditions are already raising concerns across Colorado, from low snowpack to early-season heat.
We sat down with Shawn Williams, Director of Public Works, to talk about what this means locally, and what residents should know right now.
“It feels warm… but it’s too early.”
Even though temperatures are rising across the state, now is not the time to start watering lawns.
“It feels warm, but the ground temperatures just aren’t there yet. It’s too early for these grasses to start growing.”
Due to record low snowpack and higher than average ambient temperatures the Town of Buena Vista is anticipating an earlier than usual runoff season as well as severe drought conditions which will likely impact annual water production. Please keep conservation in mind when using water.
“We just want to make sure people are using best practices in March… until April or May when people normally start turning their sprinkler systems on.”
- Hold off on sprinkler systems
- Water only if plants truly need it
- Follow early-season best practices
Water users will be required to abide by the following outside watering schedule:
- Odd number addresses: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
- Even number addresses: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
- No watering lawns between 10AM and 6PM
- No watering on Monday
What the Data Is Showing: “To be this early and this dry… we need to keep an eye on what’s happening in the state and across the West.”
Water decisions are being shaped by real-time conditions across the region:
“Our water sources are in the ground.”
Buena Vista’s system is unique, and that comes with both strengths and limitations.
- “We don’t pull water from a reservoir. The water’s just moving through the ground and in the creeks”
- “We’re limited in what we can produce… especially in the winter and depending on water rights.”
Demand also changes dramatically:
- “We can go from about 200 gallons a minute in the winter to over 800 gallons a minute in peak summer.”
- “And we have to continually ensure we keep water in the tanks for fire protection.”
“We want people to see what’s possible.”
The Town’s Demonstration Garden at the Community Center is designed to help residents rethink landscaping: “It gives people a real idea of what grows here… and how to conserve water while still having something that looks nice.”
- Lower-water turf alternatives
- Efficient irrigation practices
- Plant options based on water needs
“What if you didn’t need water at all?”
The Kinetic Art Garden (Joy Dupree dedication) pushes that idea even further: “It’s really an idea of what you could do with your property that doesn’t require any water.”
“There’s no water use at all there… and that’s kind of the reality of where we’re at right now.”
This kind of thinking, creative, low-water design, may become more important if drought conditions continue.Balancing Water and Community Value
Not all water use is purely functional: “The benefit of a beautiful Main Street, Good vibes and community benefit are huge.”
The Town is working to balance:
- Conservation
- Community identity
- Smart, intentional water use
“Looking out for each other.”
Water in Colorado is shared. and local decisions matter: “If we’re not using water here, that means somebody else can use that water.”
Learn more about the bigger picture:
- Colorado Water Plan
- Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District
- Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District
- Colorado Rural Water Association
What We’re Watching: “We’re going to have to keep evaluating it as we go.”
The Town is closely monitoring:
- Snowpack and runoff
- Groundwater levels
- Regional drought conditions
- State-level responses
What You Can Do Right Now
One inch of water per week is a good goal. Water, rest, water. To maximize efficiency and allow the soil time to soak up water, add multiple start times and reduce each zone’s watering time. For example, for a 14-minute run time, irrigate one zone for 7 minutes, turn off while another zone is irrigated, then irrigate the first zone again for 7 minutes to achieve the total 14-minute run time.
- Delay turning on sprinklers: If you water during the heat of the day, you may lose up to 50% of the water to evaporation!
- Water only when necessary
- Consider low- or no-water landscaping
- Stay informed using the links above
Stay Engaged: “The reality of where we’re at right now… we all need to be thinking differently about water.”
This update is part of the BV Water Conditions project: Spring temperatures can be misleading, it may feel warm, but it’s often too early to water lawns. Please take a moment to fill out our Quick Poll: Spring Watering Check
Your response helps us understand community habits and tailor guidance!
