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Drought Information (updated 9/18/03)

9/18/03

Due to average precipitation and increased conservation many municipalities are eliminating their waterng restrictions as of October 1, 2003. We have compiled a list of these watering restrictions related to ponds and water features for many Colorado communities, click here to see the list.

4/17/03

At the Denver Water Board meeting April 16 new water restrictions were put into place which will be effective on May 1, 2003. All of our lobbying efforts regarding ponds were definitely successful! The new restrictions states: "No restrictions if water is not sprayed in the air." (Please note the restrictions printed in the April 19 Rocky Mountain News are incorrect for Denver, new fountains and water features ARE allowed.) This is much less restrictive then the previous wording, new ponds and even water features without fish are now allowed. In the interest of conservation we still recommend doing everything possible to minimize evaporation in your water features. This includes:

Checking your pond closely to be sure there are no leaks
Heavy plant coverage to minimize open water surface area
When designing a pond multiple, smaller falls will have less evaporation then one very large fall
Plant tall plants around the pond to minimize wind across the pond's surface

1/10/03

Since September 18 we have continued to be in contact with Denver Water and attended two Citizen Action Committee Drought Meetings. Denver Water is still in the process of formulating their restrictions for different levels of drought. The present draft of Stage 2 would allow ponds with fish to continue to operate and include 2 day per week lawn watering. Stage 3 would require ponds to be drained and no lawn watering whatsoever. The final restrictions for each stage will be determined sometime in March and we will continue to be actively involved during this process. The April snowpack reading is the most critical of the year, once this is received the board will adopt their plan for the summer which would go into effect sometime in May.

9/19/02

True Pump has continued to communicate with Denver Water and on Septermber 18 at the Denver Water Board meeting the water feature restriction was amended to state: “Effective September 1, 2002, customers shall be prohibited from filling or refilling any ornamental or drainage pond. This prohibition does not apply to operation of fountains and waterfalls performing functions essential to the support of existing fish life.”

9/5/02

At the Denver Water Board Meeting on September 4 the pond owners, suppliers, and installers were represented by only three people who attended the meeting: Tim Boettcher, President of True Pump & Equipment, Scott Eddy of Rman Productions, and Dave Stieren of Aqua Creations. Mr. Boettcher presented the Board with a handout containing pond facts and information, and explained our position to the Board.

Now for the good news! We were informed by Leslie Parker of Denver Water that because of our presentation the Board is intending to change the wording of the original restriction to allow waterfalls and water features that sustain aquatic life to continue to be operated. The Board’s next meeting is not scheduled until September 18 and at that time the board will make new wording official and until that time they will be delaying enforcement of the original restriction.

8/29/02

On August 29 we received a clarification of this issue from Denver Water. It states “Ponds do not have to be drained, but if they have moving water such as fountains or waterfalls, these must be turned off. Other methods such as bubblers, soaker hoses placed in the bottom of the pond with forced air pumped through the hoses, water lillies or equivalent may be used to keep fish alive and ponds from becoming stagnant. If a pond owner brings in water from another water source to fill the pond, the owner must disconnect the entire property from Denver Water’s Supply. If anyone uses any of Denver’s Water, he or she or the corporation must follow Denver’s rules.”

Denver Water Board’s next public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 4 at 9:15AM at 1600 W. 12th Ave.

8/27/02

Denver Water is still continuing to formulate their definition of "water features." Elizabeth Gardener, Manager of Conservation for Denver Water, has been advised of our point of view and will present it to the Denver Water Board. We are expecting a response by Thursday, August 29. With the effective date of September 1 fast approaching we have also requested that enforcement of this restriction be delayed until this issue has been resolved.

The media has not focused on this issue so many pond owners in the metro area are unaware of this restriction. The Colorado Water Garden Society and Rocky Mountain Koi Club have been made aware and will be publicizing this to their membership.

The Denver Water Board has a meeting scheduled for September 4, 2002, at 9:15 a.m. in the third floor board room of the Administration Building, 1600 W. 12th Avenue. The public is welcome to attend.

8/23/02

The drought continues to dominate the headlines and we are getting more and more questions from pond owners concerned with it’s impact. We would like to provide some background as well as information for the future.

Colorado’s water supply depends plain and simple on the snowpack we receive during the winter. Even if we get above average rainfall this fall we still need significant amounts of snow this winter to break out of the drought.

Denver Water’s Drought Response Plan says that in a severe drought situation ornamental fountains will not be allowed to be operated. On August 21, 2002 new water restrictions were put in place by Denver Water and the wording was changed to include water features. The new restriction states that as of September 1, 2002: “Operation of all outdoor water features will be prohibited.”

We immediately contacted Denver Water to point out to them the problems with this restriction:

This will result in the loss of an incredible number of fish and plants across the metro area

Stagnant ponds could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes

Other states already in a severe drought situation have ALL still allowed the operation of ponds that contain aquatic life (see below).

Ponds take less water to maintain than a similar area planted in grass (see below).

Their reply was that they are still trying to define what a “water feature” is and whether this restriction will apply to ponds with fish. The Drought Task Force is meeting on Friday, August 23 to clarify this and other issues. We should have the results of this meeting on Monday, August 26 and we are hopeful that they will agree with our point of view and define the restrictions accordingly.

Ponds Vs Grass

Which takes more water to maintain, grass or a pond?

First, we must make some assumptions related to pond size, irrigation efficiency, evaporation rates, etc. For the purpose of this example we are using an average 11 ft x 16 ft pond with a 10 ft long stream, an evaporation rate of 1/2” per day, and 50 percent irrigation efficiency (it will take 1” of watering to cover the lawn with 1/2”). When a pond is installed much more turf is removed than just the 11 x 16 pond area. Most homeowners will include a large berm as well as multiple new planting areas which can be drip irrigated much more efficiently than turf. We are assuming the total sod removed will be 3 times the pond area and the pond surface will take up 75% of the 11 x 16 footprint.

Gallons of Water Required for Grass (every 3 days):

1” water per 3 days x 1 foot per 12 inches x 396 square feet x 7.5 gallons per cubic foot = 247.5 gallons every 3 days

Gallons of Water Required for a Pond (every 3 days):

1/2” water loss per day x 3 days x 1 foot per 12 inches x 132 square feet x 7.5 gallons per cubic foot = 123.8 gallons every 3 days, a 50% water savings versus grass!

As with any example, your results may vary. This example clearly shows that replacing part of your lawn with a pond will increase water conservation. One homeowner reported a 28% decrease in overall water usage after adding a new pond this year.

Drought Restrictions in Other States:

New Mexico (as of 6/12/02)

The filling, refilling or adding of water to swimming pools, spas, ponds and artificial lakes located at single family residences is prohibited except where this use is storage for a water supply or where it is necessary to maintain existing aquatic life.

New Jersey (as of 8/20/02)

No outdoor water use for ornamental or aesthetic purposes, including fountains, waterfalls and reflecting pools, except to preserve wildlife or for sanitary or structural purposes.

New York (as of 4/1/02)

Ornamental fountains must be turned off.

Pennsylvania (as of 8/9/02)

The following water uses shall be deemed nonessential and are prohibited:

The use of any water for ornamental purposes, including fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools, except:

(i) Fountains or waterfalls may be operated to perform the primary and necessary aeration function for a pond that supports fish life.

(ii) Water may be used to top off ornamental water gardens or fish ponds to the minimum extent necessary to maintain fish and aquatic life.

Maryland (as of 4/5/02)

Use of water for the operation of ornamental fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines, and reflecting pools is prohibited:

Except for systems that continuously recycle water.

Delaware (as of 8/2/02)

The use of fresh water is prohibited for ornamental purposes, including fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools that do not support animal, plant, or aquatic life.