Summer Watering Schedule Reminder, Emergency Water Conservation Policy and Declaration of Drought
Irrigation Spring Start-up and Declared Drought Schedule
The storage pond is full and ready for releases! The system was successfully turned on for community use on Tuesday, May 12th.
Watering days and times for pop-up spray sprinkler systems on turf areas is limited this summer due to the declared Drought. This applies to all residential, commercial, District and HOA systems. Please read the full policy and more details below.
Watering days are currently 2-days per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Watering must be performed before 10AM and after 6PM. The District operators request that even-numbered houses water in the morning and odd-numbered houses water in the evening to help the system perform at its best and still allow adequate watering times for everyone.
Drip systems for gardens, trees, perrennials etc. (areas watered by non-spray zones which are not turfgrass) are exempted from the 2-day per week limitation. All watering should still be performed in the morning or evening. Handwatering from hosebibs attached to irrigation valves is prohibited. Handwatering from hoses attached to homes is subject to the policies for potable water use by the Town of Gypsum.
For more information on the following please read below or visit the District’s website:
- The full Emergency Water Conservation Policy and 1-page quick guide.
- Irrigation system programming support requests by District Operators.
- Emergency one-directional text number for irrigation leaks or damage reporting.
- Additional Drought conditions, outdoor plant and water management resources.
- Additional contacts and resources for the Irrigation system startup and operations.
District Water Conservation Plan and Drought Declaration - Adopted on May 5, 2026
In the joint meeting between Buckhorn Valley Metro District No. 1 Board and the Buckhorn Valley Metro District No. 2 Board on May 5th, 2026, both Boards heard reports and input from District residents, expert consultants to both Districts and District Board members.
Joint support was given by the Boards for the adoption of an emergency plan, with future revisions to follow, resulting in the District 1 Board's adoption of the Emergency Water Conservation Policy and Declaration of "Drought," with associated watering schedule and restrictions.
Both actions were taken in service of water availability to current and future customers, due to the unprecedented drought conditions which directly affect the District's water.
Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in following this policy. By adopting these practices together, we hope the community will enjoy water as long as possible this summer season!
Please click on the link below to read the policy.
BVMD Water Conservation Policy - May 5 2026 FINALDrough Policy Quick Reference One Page Guide
Water Levels within the District - April end and early May
Drought Updates
Owners and residents of the community are encouraged to plan for a very dry season given the unprecendented drought the area is experiencing. Neighboring water and irrrigation water providers in the Eagle Valley, along the Eagle River and Colorado River are instituting their own conservation measures.
Please note that Buckhorn Valley Metro District 1 is the irrigation water provider to the Buckhorn Community. The Town of Gypsum provides indoor treated water for the Buckhorn Valley Community.
Using treated Town of Gypsum water for outdoor irrigation (such as lawns, gardens, or landscaping) is illegal in the Buckhorn community and can result in significant fines under the Gypsum Municipal Code. We appreciate your help in protecting our local water resources and staying in compliance with town regulations. Information related to the Town's indoor water supply is available on their website: www.townofgypsum.com/water-and-sewer, https://www.townofgypsum.com/drought-information, https://www.townofgypsum.com/drought-information?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery (see Water and Irrigation dropdown information).
You may have received informational communications from your HOA noting other Water and Irrigation Districts that are implementing conservation measures or drought restrictions. Again, please note that the only irrigation water service provider in the Buckhorn Valley Community is the Buckhorn Valley Metropolitan District No. 1.
Neighborhood HOAs and owners are responsible for maintenance of their segments of the irrigation system in common areas and backyards after the connection to the system. However the District's Operators and management are happy to help if you have questions about these details. Read further down for more about irrigation techincal support.
Additional information related to the historic drought is available through various organizations and in numerous articles, as well as plans and declarations from neighboring water suppliers.
Some examples are below:
Water Education Colorado: https://watereducationcolorado.org/
Colorado River Water Conservation District Water News: https://www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/water-news/
Heat Wipes Out Western Snowpack, Raising Fears of Drought, Wildfire, Article, New York Times
Eagle County Drought Information: https://www.drought.gov/states/colorado/county/eagle
Town of Gypsum: https://www.townofgypsum.com/drought-information
Town of Eagle: https://www.townofeagle.org/580/Current-Restrictions
Eagle River Water and Sanitation District's water conservation policy and article
Water Conservation
We appreciate everyone's efforts to maintain your landscaping while conserving water. The Conservation Plan, which is under development, aims to ensure the entire community can access water throughout the season. Thanks for helping us make the water last all season!
Research-based tips on watering your landscaping to keep plants and lawns alive and more resilient, even if they are in a dormant phase during a drought cycle, as well as planting, watering, maintenance and low-water landscaping information can be found on the CSU Extension website:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic/garden-landscape/
The Colorado State Forest Service Fire Prevention website has additional information about wildfire preparation and safety, including landscape maintenance tips: csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/protect-your-home-property-from-wildfire/
Technical Assistance Program and Leak/Damage Reporting
If you would like the District's Operation team to assist you in programming your backyard irrigation, please reach out to us at info@ccrider.us to schedule a visit.
NEW this year: The District now has an enhanced damage reporting system. To report irrigation damages or leaks 24/7 during the watering season, TEXT (970) 519-5444. For more information vist the District's contact us page. Please note this new number can only receive texts. Other questions or communications should be directed to us via email or the District's general phone during regular business hours.
New home irrigation systems are subject to an Inspection by the District's Operator and payment of the Irrigation Tap Fee prior to irrigation water being turned on. For questions email info@ccrider.us.
A recent (incomplete) list of regional Mountain West drought declarations is available here.
Additional link for water and fire restrictions: https://www.roaringfork.org/drought/drought-response/
Town of Gypsum
Phase II-Mandatory (3-days per week even/odd alternating; no watering Mondays; no watering 8am-6pm)
https://www.townofgypsum.com/drought-information
Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (Vail, Avon, Edwards +)
Stage III-Mandatory Water Shortage Declaration (2-days per week even/odd alternating; not watering Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays; no watering 8am-8pm)
https://www.erwsd.org/water-use-regulations
Town of Eagle
Stage 2-Mandatory (3-days per week even/odd alternating; no watering Mondays; no watering 10am-5pm)
https://www.townofeagle.org/580/Current-Restrictions
City of Glenwood Springs
Watering Schedule (Odd addresses water on odd days of the month; even addresses water on even days of the month; no watering 10am-6pm)
https://www.cogs.us/657/Watering-Schedule-Horario-de-riego
Town of Basalt
Stage 1-Mandatory (3-days per week even/odd alternating; no watering Mondays)
https://www.basalt.net/m/newsflash/home/detail/678
City of Aspen
Mandatory Irrigation Schedule-(Odd addresses water on odd days of the month; even addresses water on even days of the month; no watering 10am-6pm)
https://www.aspen.gov/203/Water
Town of Carbondale
No declaration at this time
Snowmass Village
Mandatory-(North/South Zones every other day alternating; no watering 9am-6pm)
https://www.swsd.org/watering-schedule
Grand County
Exceptional Drought-no lawn watering residential/community; voluntary vegetable garden reductions, water-wise landscapes 1x/month max
https://www.co.grand.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/19662/Stage-3-Exceptional-Drought---Final?bidId=
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