The city of Steamboat Springs and the Mt. Werner Water and Sanitation District have moved to Stage 2 drought restrictions — effective immediately — after the warmest winter on record left snowpack levels in the Yampa/Green/White River basins at historic lows, according to a statement released Thursday morning.  

“We’re asking everyone to do their part to help stretch our limited water supplies through the spring and summer,” said Steamboat Springs Water Resources Manager Julie Baxter in the statement. “Early conservation makes a real difference later in the year.”

Stage 2 rules prohibit washing vehicles at home, washing driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and outdoor dining areas, running decorative fountains and using treated water for dust control. 

Officials are also asking residents to delay starting irrigation systems until June  1 and to water lawns no more than twice a week, though hand-watering is still allowed.

Outdoor irrigation accounts for about one‑third of Steamboat’s treated water use, according to city officials. Conserving water now could help delay reservoir releases until later in the season.

Mt. Werner Water General Manager Frank Alfone said in the statement that a Stage 3 drought is a “real possibility” later in the year.

Water waste can be reported online at tinyurl.com/yff6jxbt.