Facilities

Challenging conditions and drought concerns continue regionally and statewide despite recent precipitation. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Colorado is in a moderate or severe drought due to lack of precipitation, warmer temperatures, dry soil, sustained evaporative winds, and lower than average snowpack. 

The City’s priority is to ensure sufficient water is available for essential domestic use. The peak spring runoff has passed and has been used to fill our primary storage facilities at Baseline and Goose Haven Reservoirs. Because these reservoirs haven’t filled to capacity, it is not anticipated a sufficient water supply will be available to raise Waneka Lake levels to allow for recreational boathouse operations. While staff is disappointed this amenity is being scaled back, the decision is in the best interest of Lafayette residents. 

Conserving limited regional water supplies can only be addressed as a collective effort. The City is experiencing concerning trends with water demands. Elevated residential outdoor water use began a month earlier than in typical years and last month’s use doubled that of 2021. The community is urged to limit outdoor irrigation to a maximum of three days a week - but preferably two. Additional water conservation efforts are also encouraged and may be found on the City’s website lafayetteco.gov/WaterConservation. 

A reminder of Lafayette’s year-round water restrictions

• No watering of outdoor landscaping between the hours of 10am and 6pm except:
  • Watering by hand with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off valve
  • City-owned facilities: golf course, high traffic parks, and athletic fields
  • Commercial agriculture
•  No overrun of water onto any area not covered by vegetation such as sidewalks, curbs, driveways, streets, and other paved areas 
• No washing of paved areas such as driveways with a hose