MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KKCO/KJCT)– Mesa County is in a severe drought right now and the forecasts for rain aren’t good.
If things get worse, voluntary water restrictions could become mandatory.
"We’re running at 6,500 CFS today, normally we’re double that this time of the season,” said Aldis Strautins, the service hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.
"You’re behind for many months and seasons and then that ends up and that’s why we’re in a severe drought,” said Strautins.
Ute Water is feeling those impacts along with the other water providers in the Grand Valley.
“That’s when we start to consider and evaluate mandatory water restrictions,” said Burtard.
The next two drought levels above severe are extreme and exceptional.
"We’re not there yet but there is a chance we can move that way,” said Strautins.
"We’re hoping we can get some more rainfall."
Ute water and the City of Grand Junction have to pull from different sources for water, which could result in some quality changes for those customers.