Denver Water’s collection and service areas continue to face severe drought conditions, with historically low snowpack.
Denver Water has declared a Stage 1 drought. Stage 1 drought means Denver Water is asking customers to reduce their total water use (outdoor and indoor) by at least 20%, which will help preserve water levels in reservoirs and help avoid the need to increase restrictions later this summer.
Mandatory watering restrictions have been implemented are in affect now. Please keep sprinkler systems off until mid to late May.
Antero Reservoir will close to recreation in 2026 for drought response.
In the coming weeks, Denver Water will begin transferring water from Antero Reservoir to Cheesman Reservoir as part of its drought response strategy. Antero Reservoir has the highest evaporation-to-storage ratio of any Denver Water reservoir, and moving the water to Cheesman is expected to save approximately 5,000 acre-feet of water — about 25% of Antero’s storage capacity — from evaporation. One acre-foot of water is enough to supply about three to four single-family households for a year.
Denver Water is coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reduce fish loss during the transfer and allow limited public access before the reservoir closes. Once fish relocation is complete, all recreation activities, including camping, will be suspended at Antero Reservoir for 2026.
Additional details will be announced once plans are finalized.
Williams Fork Reservoir will be closed to motorized boats in 2026 for drought response.
Due to low water levels during the current Stage 1 drought, motorized boats will not be permitted on Williams Fork Reservoir in 2026. Non-motorized, hand-launched watercraft exempt from Aquatic Nuisance Species inspections — such as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards — will still be allowed.
Camping and shoreline fishing at Williams Fork Reservoir will remain open in 2026.
Annual Waterton Canyon Closure
Weekday access to Waterton Canyon will be closed from Monday, April 27, through Friday, May 8, for Denver Water’s annual dust mitigation project. During this time, the parking lot at the canyon entrance and the canyon itself will be inaccessible. Waterton Canyon will reopen for weekend recreation on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3.
This annual maintenance helps reduce dust and improve conditions for hikers, bikers, and runners throughout the summer. Because Waterton Canyon is also a working facility, temporary closures are necessary to ensure public safety during operations and maintenance work.
For the latest updates, visit Denver Water’s official website.
