Denver Water supply and water use update

Denver Water’s collection and service areas continue to face severe drought conditions, with historically low snowpack. Denver Water depends on mountain snowpack for its water supply, which serves 1.5 million people in Denver and surrounding suburbs.

As a result, on March 25, 2026, the Denver Board of Water Commissioners declared a Stage 1 drought, seeking a 20% reduction in water use to preserve water levels and avoid even stricter mandatory restrictions later this summer. On April 8, 2026, the board approved the implementation of temporary drought pricing, starting with May water use and reflected in June bills, to signal the premium value of water during droughts and help incentivize customers to save water.

On Aug. 26, 2026, the board amended its Stage 1 drought resolution to prohibit lawn watering as of Oct. 1. The lawn watering ban remains in effect until the board determines how and when lawn watering can resume. That means sprinklers need to remain off in spring of 2027, pending an official resolution from the Board of Water Commissioners.

In the meantime, Denver Water customers are required to follow mandatory watering restrictions of two assigned days per week until Oct. 1. If it rains, you can skip one or even two of your days. 

Snowpack and water supply update

• In Denver Water’s collection system, the 2025-26 snowpack peaked more than a month earlier than normal and at the lowest levels observed in the past 40 years:
  • Colorado River Basin: Snowpack peaked March 18, 2026, at 58% of normal, the second-earliest date and second-lowest peak on record. (Typical peak date is April 24.)
  • South Platte River Basin: Snowpack peaked March 17, 2026, at 42% of normal, the second-earliest date and the lowest peak on record. (Typical peak date is April 26.)
• Snowpack and melting conditions were unprecedented, with accelerated spring melting that started in mid-March. Customers need to save water to stretch supplies.
• Streamflow forecasts called for runoff levels to be 10-40% of normal in 2026.
• Reservoir storage conditions are below average, and far less snowpack and spring runoff was available to help refill them. As of Aug. 31, 2026, reservoirs were 71% full, versus an average of 93% full for this time. 

Watch this July 2026 video update on the status of Dillon Reservoir, Denver Water's largest reservoir: 

And watch this July 2026 video update on the status of Williams Fork Reservoir: 

Water use and conservation update

• Quote from Greg Fisher, Denver Water manager of demand planning: 
  • "We received some welcome rainstorms, but drought conditions remain firmly in place. The storms were highly localized rather than widespread, limiting their overall hydrologic benefit.
  • Our storage reservoirs, which rely on mountain snowpack, are so far behind that it is clear we’ll need to take additional steps in response to drought conditions worsening this summer, so Denver Water is ending lawn watering season on Oct. 1.
  • That means customers can only hand-water trees and plants, and will be required to turn off spray irrigation systems after Sept. 30.
  • If you are the only one on your block with a lush green lawn, you might want to revisit your watering practices, as your overuse is compounding the impacts of this historic drought on our water storage supplies. We’re asking everyone to care more and water less, so we don’t have to take more drastic steps in the future, which could create more damaging impacts to our landscapes. Our reservoirs are projected to be only 60% full next spring — every drop saved goes a long way in helping us stretch our water supplies."
• Customers can do their part by making water-efficient upgrades, indoors and outdoors, including rethinking their yards. These steps preserve water supplies and create more adaptable and drought-resilient landscapes that fit naturally into our climate. Read on TAP: Simple strategies to save water at home.

• Keep an eye on the weather. Denver Water customers are required to follow mandatory watering restrictions of two assigned days per week. If it rains, you can skip one or even two of your days. 

  • Addresses ending in even numbers: Sunday and Thursday.
  • Addresses ending in odd numbers: Wednesday and Saturday.

  • All other customers, including multifamily properties, commercial properties, homeowners associations and government properties, may water only on Tuesdays and Fridays.

• In addition, customers will be required to follow Denver Water’s annual summer watering rules:

  • Water only during cooler times of the day, between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.

  • Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.

  • Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.

  • Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.

  • Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.

  • Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.

For its part, Denver Water has proactively reduced its spending, taking steps that include enacting a hiring freeze and reviewing maintenance and other projects to see which ones could be deferred. We are also looking into other ways to increase supply by activating agreements that allow us to capture additional water that is typically unavailable during normal conditions.

This year marks the fifth time since 2000 that Denver Water has issued a Stage 1 drought, and the first since 2013. Prior to 2013, the board declared a Stage 1 drought in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Denver Water has many resources for homeowners looking for inspiration and information about landscapes that fit naturally into our dry climate. Click here for conservation and efficiency tips for outdoor irrigation and to get more details on ways to ColoradoScape  your property, including through rebates for turf removal and a DIY guide for landscape changes, among many other potential water-saving steps.

Updates about Denver Water’s reservoir levels, customer water use and snowpack can be found in the Water Watch Report, which is updated weekly in the spring and summer.