Aurora prepares for potential drought as snowpack remains low

AURORA | Aurora’s water sources aren’t in dire straits, yet, but city officials are starting to prepare for a possibly severe drought this summer. 

Tim York, Aurora’s water department manager, offered up the highs and lows of the city’s current water situation in Aurora during the study session Feb. 9. With the record-breaking lack of snow this winter, there will probably be restrictions this summer unless key parts of the state are hit by an increasingly unlikely snowmaggedon. 

“It’s pretty dry out there,” York said. “Snow pack has not been good.”

With out-of-town current reservoirs at 60% capacity, York said, the Aurora reservoir is pretty much full. Spiney Reservoir, however, a main Aurora water source, was recently measured at the second-lowest it has ever, at only 40%. Spiney Mountain Reservoir is Aurora owned and located in Park County, is the main storage reservoir for all of Aurora’s Colorado and Arkansas River rights.

“That will continue to go down until we get to, hopefully, some runoff,” York said.

In a historical look at Aurora’s reservoir levels, York said Aurora’s reserves are above 2002 levels, but the outlook is not off to a good start because this winter’s snowpack is below 2002 levels. 2002, for context, was the last most extreme drought year in more than 20 years. Think severe water restrictions on things like irrigation and even car washing.

This year is so far unravelling as another severe drought year, and without substantial snowfall in March and April, the city could struggle to replenish supplies, York said. 

This is all compounded by drought conditions in the mountain basins that feed  Aurora’s water sources, including the Colorado, Arkansas, and South Platte Rivers. Portions of these regions are experiencing extreme to exceptional drought, meaning the very areas that supply Aurora’s water are under the most strain.

The outlooks for February and April project continued drought statewide, with warmer and drier conditions than normal, he said, and the city should start preparing for a dry year. 

The city’s Water Supply Watch Team has increased its meeting frequency from monthly to biweekly as conditions worsen, and city officials are preparing for early public messaging, particularly as warm weather has already prompted some large irrigation systems to turn on sooner than usual, York said. 

No drought stage, a creature of the West, has been declared yet, he said. The current discussion focused on updating the Water Shortage Response Plan so it aligns with the city’s Integrated Water Master Plan and can be implemented quickly if needed.

When a drought stage is announced, it will affect how often people water their lawns, ranging from two days a week to no outdoor watering. 

Other places that might be impacted include, in Stage 1, restaurants serving water only upon request, and Stage 3 could bring severe restrictions, potentially affecting indoor water use.

Even under normal conditions, water waste enforcement is active, York said. Water monitors respond to complaints and educate residents about violations. Most issues are resolved after an initial warning, but repeated violations can result in fines, surcharges or even service suspension in extreme cases.

Residents can report water waste through the city’s Access Aurora app, website or water conservation email.

Aurora offers approximately 24 water conservation programs, including landscape conversion incentives such as xeriscaping, educational workshops, and water-use assessments, York said. 

In new development, water-wise landscaping is on the rise, and 52% of new homes built in 2025 feature zero front yard lawn, even though it is not required by ordinance.

“We are embarking on a new kind of machine learning vegetation cover project this year, which will give us a better look at the entire city,” York said.

Councilmember Curtis Gardner asked about backyard ducks, which require access to fresh water, and whether they align with conservation goals. Staff agreed to examine how water feature rules apply to such uses under different drought stages.

York said that businesses, including car washes, would be subject to restrictions during severe drought stages.

Councilmember Françoise Bergan asked about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and their water impact, and York said they have had little impact on overall water demand so far. Most ADU-related use is indoor, which has allowed water recovery through the sewer system, York said. 

March and April are traditionally the state’s biggest snow months. York said substantial snowfall during this period would be needed to significantly improve conditions. 

York said that if restrictions are implemented, the city has the authority to reverse them if weather patterns improve, as has happened in past years, as Bergan mentioned.