September 2, 2025

When you turn on the tap, water flows easily. Behind the scenes, though, the supply that makes that possible is anything but simple. At Little Thompson Water District (LTWD), our team is constantly working to ensure a reliable and resilient water supply for today and for generations to come. That means planning for changing conditions, managing a finite resource responsibly and helping our customers understand where their water comes from. 

Why Water Supply Is a Shared Challenge 

Water in Colorado is limited. How much is available to LTWD in a given year depends on many factors outside our direct control. Snowpack in the mountains, runoff into reservoirs and the annual quota set by Northern Water all play a role. Some years bring above-average flows, while others fall short. Because of this, all of us need to use our supply wisely and avoid waste. 

Every drop counts, and conservation is a partnership. As a District, we maintain infrastructure, manage storage and diversify supply sources. As customers, your daily choices, such as watering landscapes efficiently, fixing leaks quickly and following watering schedules help stretch that supply further. 

The Backbone: Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) 

Most of LTWD’s supply comes from the Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) Project. Managed by Northern Water, the project delivers water from the Colorado River Basin on the West Slope to the East Slope through a system of 12 reservoirs, 35 miles of tunnels, 95 miles of canals and 700 miles of transmission lines. It’s a remarkable engineering achievement that serves more than a million people across northeastern Colorado. 

Each year, Northern Water sets a quota that determines how much water each provider will receive. The decision isn’t made lightly. It considers snowpack levels, reservoir storage, agricultural needs, municipal demand and more. For LTWD, this quota has a direct impact on the amount of water available for our customers. 

Most years, the quota is set around 70%. The C-BT water is meant to be supplemental to water that is already available to us on the East Slope. The relationship is inverse of what you might think. So, in drier years, the quota is higher, such as 80% or even 90%, to supplement the water we are not receiving through snowpack melting and rainfall. In years where water is abundant on the Front Range, the C-BT quota might be set lower since it would not be as necessary to tap into. These changes also directly connect to LTWD’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which outlines action levels based on supply conditions. When the water supply is lower, we increase the action plan level and encourage more conservation efforts to ensure we have enough water for essential consumption. 

Understanding this connection helps explain why our supply can vary from year to year and why conservation matters no matter the conditions. 

Why Diversification Matters 

While C-BT is a critical supply, it was always intended as a supplemental source, not the only source. That’s why LTWD has worked hard to diversify its portfolio with additional sources like ditch water, Windy Gap water and storage projects such as Dry Creek Reservoir. 

Diversification provides flexibility. In years when East Slope supplies are plentiful, we can lean less on C-BT. In years when the West Slope is dry and Northern Water increases the quota, we have that supplemental water available. Local “native” sources help balance our reliance between the two. 

Storage is equally valuable. By capturing water in reservoirs during wet years, we can store it for use during drier times. This buffering helps smooth out annual fluctuations and keeps our customers supplied even when conditions are less favorable. 

In short, diversification and storage are about resilience. They allow LTWD to adapt to variable water conditions and reduce risks tied to relying too heavily on one source. 

How Customers Play a Role 

While LTWD manages infrastructure, storage and supply, every household and business plays a vital role in using water responsibly. Even small actions make a difference when multiplied across thousands of customers. 

• Follow watering schedules. Sticking to your designated days helps balance demand across the system and prevents overloading infrastructure. Even-numbered addresses should water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and odd-numbered addresses should water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Be sure to check out our Water Shortage Contingency Action Plan for additional guidelines. 

• Water efficiently. Adjust sprinklers seasonally, fix leaks quickly and consider upgrading to more efficient systems. You can even take advantage of LTWD’s smart sprinkler rebates to save on your upgrades. 

• Think about long-term landscaping. Native and drought-tolerant plants not only save water but also thrive in Colorado’s climate. Programs like Garden In A Box, Lawn Replacement and LTWD’s landscape contest offer inspiration and support. 

• Use monitoring tools. Free resources like EyeOnWater give you insight into daily usage and can help catch leaks before they cause high bills. 

These efforts help stretch every drop, especially in years when the supply is lower. 

Looking Ahead 

The challenges of water supply are real. Climate variability and changing demands all put pressure on a limited resource. But LTWD is committed to proactive management. By diversifying sources, investing in storage, planning for contingencies and partnering with our customers, we’re building a resilient system that can adapt to changing conditions. 

Water is more than a commodity. It’s the lifeblood of our community. From long-time agricultural families to growing neighborhoods, every customer depends on a safe and reliable supply. By working together, we can ensure that our supply remains strong today and in the future.