Watering Restrictions
Mild Drought Response
The City of Longmont is under a Mild Drought Response Level. In response to a dry winter and low snowpack, the City will reduce water consumption by 10% on City-owned greenways, parks, golf courses and other facilities. Residents are encouraged, not required, to do the same.
Here’s where Longmont Stands:
Longmont remains under a Mild Drought Response Level, unchanged since May.
Here’s where Longmont stands: Our water supply is stable, and no mandatory restrictions for residents are in place right now. Water Resources staff will be keeping a watchful eye on our winter snowpack to determine what drought response level is warranted for next year.
What the Water Picture Looks Like Now
From now until next spring, nearly all of the water Longmont uses – both by the City and its customers alike – will come from storage reservoirs, a shift that usually comes later in the season. Button Rock Reservoir, our highest-priority storage, filled completely this year. Once stored water is used, there’s no more until reservoirs refill next season, and next year’s supply depends on this winter’s snowpack.
Reservoir Storage- Near Average
Our reservoirs are near average, which will keep us well supplied through the winter.
Snowpack and Streamflow- Below Average
While we are keeping an eye on the El Nino Oscillation, we are not letting those predictions drive the management of our water resources.
Water Demand- Higher than Average
Water treatment plant production for the 2026 water year (October-September) was 97% of the 10-year average.
Why Longmont’s Situation May Look Different from What You’re Reading
A More-Resilient Water Portfolio
Longmont draws the majority of its water from the St. Vrain Creek Basin, with some coming from the Colorado River Basin. We also hold some of the most senior water rights in the South Platte River Basin, and under Colorado’s water law, the demand of senior rights are met first when water is scarce. Our varying water supplies, storage capacities, water rights, and local demands make our water story a bit different than other communities on the Front Range.
Better positioned, not immune.
For decades, though the Raw Water Requirement Policy, Longmont has required that properties annexed into the city limits transfer their historical water rights to the City. That practice has built a diverse, resilient portfolio that gives us more flexibility than many Front Range communities. Even so, a below-average snowpack affects our basin, too. What’s true for Denver or Fort Collins isn’t automatically true for Longmont.
The City is Acting First
The City reduced our own consumption by 10% this year by turning down irrigation clocks, prioritizing leaks and infrastructure updates, and reducing irrigation in non-essential areas. Stay tuned to know exact amounts saved and how we plan to move these efficiency methods into our everyday operations.
Winter Watering
Water your trees
Trees are vital infrastructure that help to shade our homes, businesses, schools, and help to make Longmont a better place to live. Water your trees once per month from October to April when drought conditions persist.
Mature Trees
Mature trees can be watered by placing your garden hose on the ground at the edge of the tree canopy and watering enough to moisten the soil without making it soggy. Repeat this step four times equally spaced around the tree to thoroughly soak the soil.
Younger trees
For younger trees, you can use a tree watering bag, or fill a 5-gallon bucket with holes in the bottom twice for every inch in trunk diameter. For example, a tree with a trunk diameter of 2 inches requires 10 gallons of water once per month.
Mulch
Utilize mulch to help retain soil moisture and place over the roots up to 4” deep. Do not mound the soil up around the trunk of the tree. Free mulch from Longmont Forestry Operations is available at the Longmont Recycling Center on a first-come first-served basis.
How You Can Help
While there are no mandatory restrictions right now, but our winter water habits still matter. Voluntary conservation now is the most effective tool we have to avoid stricter measures later.
Here’s where your effort makes the biggest difference:
Outdoor Water Use
- Hand-water trees and sensitive plants. A hose at the root zone uses far less water and helps protect sensitive landscaping.
Indoor Water Use
- Turn off the tap when you’re not actively using it. For example, when washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or shaving.
- Only run full loads. Wait to run your dishwasher and washing machine until you’ve got a full load.
- Reduce your shower time. Even a minute or two adds up.
Catch It Before It Costs You
- Check your system for leaks. And keep an eye on your monthly bill for unexpected spikes that could signal a problem. Compare your usage to prior years to get a sense of what’s normal.
- Learn to read your meter. Check out your water use at the source and learn to read your meter by watching the city’s how-to video.