Cheyenne Residents Urged To Conserve Water To Avoid Tougher Restrictions

The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities is reminding residents that the summer watering schedule takes effect on Wednesday, April 1.

Under the seasonal schedule:

• Outdoor watering of lawns, trees, and gardens is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Lawn watering is limited to a maximum of three days per week.
• Trees and gardens may be watered as needed, provided watering occurs outside restricted hours.
• Water waste is strictly prohibited, including watering during high winds or rain, or allowing runoff into streets and gutters.
• Residents establishing new sod or seed must obtain a free watering permit and ensure proper soil preparation. Permits are available at: https://www.cheyennebopu.org/Cheyennes-Water/Water-Conservation/New-Lawn-Permit
• Watering schedule waivers are available upon request

But in the face of an unusually dry winter, the BOPU, in a Friday news release, warned that tougher water use restrictions may be needed:

Get our free mobile app

"The BOPU is continuing to closely monitor current water resource conditions and may implement tighter water restrictions later in the irrigation season. Residents are encouraged to adopt water-efficient practices and remain mindful of their usage. Water conservation efforts now may prevent tighter restrictions later.

The City’s watering schedule reflects a proactive commitment to water conservation and efficient resource management. While these guidelines remain consistent with previous years, they play a critical role in preserving Cheyenne’s water supply amid increasing environmental pressures. Water conservation is not only a seasonal practice but a long-term necessity. With the potential for continued drought conditions and possible impacts from Colorado River supply reductions, responsible water use today helps ensure sustainable access for the future."

Meteorologist: ''A Little Early To Panic"

With that in mind, we asked Cheyenne based meteorologist Don Day Jr. about where we stand at this point.

Although he said it's "a little early to panic," his answer was concerning

"since Jan 1 we are a little below average but not by a lot, it really is going to depend on how april and may work out, if they are drier than normal then we will be in a bad place, March to June are the wettest months of the year, so it is a little early to panic, however since snowpack is so bad this year, you could argue there should be water restrictions regardless, we do see mountain snows this week and possibly more the following 2 weeks, but not enough to get us to average"

Day is the founder and President of Dayweather Inc. in Cheyenne.