The Yampa River went on call, meaning flows dropped low enough that not all water rights holders could take their water, for a short period at the end of July. While other rivers in Colorado have long been subject to calls, this was only the fourth time the Yampa reached this status.

It was also the earliest in the summer that the call has been issued, and an indication that we are living in the warmer, drier future scientists have warned is coming.

At Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, we work to advance the goals and strategies of the water conservation plan adopted in 2020 by the City of Steamboat Springs and the Mount Werner Water and Sanitation District. The plan aims to help stretch limited resources further, even during drought periods, says Julie Baxter, Water Resources Manager for the City of Steamboat Springs.

The plan cites as reasons to conserve both delaying the need for new infrastructure and preparing residents for potential mandatory restrictions related to drought or wildfire. Other benefits of conserving water include protecting river health and minimizing carbon emissions produced in the course of treating water.

According to a 2020 energy audit, approximately 45% of the annual energy load for Steamboat Springs’ city facilities is directly associated with water treatment. Every gallon conserved is one less gallon that has to be treated and piped to residences and commercial buildings.

Baxter emphasizes that while conserving water indoors is important, more opportunities lie outdoors, where about one-third of the city’s treated water is used.

“Think about landscaping, plant choices … the things you can do with your yard that promote bees, butterflies, pollinators, and contribute to local ecological health,” Baxter said. “Landscape conversion and upgrading irrigation to be more efficient is the key.”

YVSC worked with the City and District to bring Resource Central’s waterwise Garden In A Box program to Steamboat this year, providing residents with simple, plant-by-number kits containing native plants meant to replace thirsty lawns.

Residents interested in replacing their lawns can also reference YVSC’s DIY Landscape Transformation Pocket Guide, a shortened version of the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s 2025 Landscape Transformation Guide. Both are available on YVSC’s website.

Other steps being taken under Steamboat’s conservation plan include offering rebates for efficient indoor fixtures and outdoor irrigation equipment, which can be accessed via the City’s website, and replacing outdated customer meters to more accurately measure water use, detect leaks, and provide water usage data that customers can use to adapt.

The conservation plan set a target of reducing water use by 10% by 2030. The target equates to 160 gallons per day per “Equivalent Residential Unit,” (EQR), a measurement of average water use for a three-bedroom, three-bath home.

During a progress report delivered to the Steamboat Springs City Council on April 1, 2025, Baxter and her team reported that average water use per EQR was at 187 gallons per day.

In 2020, when the plan was adopted, that number was 193. Although the reduction is minimal at just 3%, looking farther back, city residents are on the right trajectory. Water use per EQR in 2006 was 242 gallons per day. It’s important that we keep moving the needle to improve resilience and protect community values.

Find more resources to help conserve water online at https://steamboatsprings.net/251/Water-Conservation and https://yvsc.org/water-conservation/.

Jayla Poppleton is the Resilient Water and Watersheds Director at Yampa Valley Sustainability Council.