Annual odd-even conservation measures effective May 1 due to Pactola Reservoir level, inflows
RAPID CITY — Due to current water levels and inflows at Pactola Reservoir, the City of Rapid City is elevating the storage condition status for Pactola Reservoir from ‘normal status’ to ‘concern status’. As a result, officials are implementing water conservation measures – commonly referred to as watering restrictions – a month early this season.
Effective this Thursday, annual water conservation measures will begin and continue through the end of August. No watering is allowed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Odd-numbered addresses are allowed to water on odd-numbered calendar days. Even-numbered addresses are allowed to water on even-numbered calendar days. No outside watering is allowed on the 31st day of any month.
Manual watering with a handheld hose or with a bucket, sprinkling can or other similar container is allowed.
Since the 1990s, the City of Rapid City has instituted mandatory water conservation measures, generally implemented June 1-August 31 each year under normal status conditions. Status conditions include normal, concern, alert and critical stages and are determined by the water levels and inflows to Pactola Reservoir.
The ‘Concern Status’ designation means whenever Pactola Reservoir contains less than 48,950 acre feet of water or the inflow to Pactola Reservoir is less than 90 percent of the mean monthly average, conservation measures will be implemented earlier and continue through September 30. City water officials indicate the new status designation will be reassessed in late August to determine if water conservation measures will continue through the end of September.
Under ‘Alert Status’ designation, water conservation measures shall apply throughout the entire year and under ‘Critical Access’ designation, no outside watering is permitted. The status designations are determined by water levels and inflows at Pactola Reservoir.
“We are adjusting the status designation due to the water levels and inflows at Pactola Reservoir,” said Rapid City Water Superintendent Eric Boyda. “Water conservation measures will go into effect Thursday and continue throughout the summer under current conditions. It’s no secret that for several months, the entire region has been experiencing less-than-average precipitation, and our winter and spring haven’t provided enough precipitation to alleviate drought in the area.”
“We appreciate the public’s cooperation with implementing water restrictions a month earlier than anticipated.”
For more information or questions about the City’s water restrictions, contact the Rapid City Water Office at 394-4162.
