2025 - No Irrigation Restrictions

Update provided 7/24/25

2024 Irrigation Restrictions

There are NO irrigation or other water restrictions currently. There is plentiful water expected this spring and through early summer to allow for sod or seed, plentiful watering for trees and shrubs, and other water activities. 

Restrictions will be reevaluated each week and may change later in the summer. If there are any irrigation restrictions later in the summer, green spaces watering will be adjusted accordingly.

Flows from the springs are the highest in recent years, except for the heavy snow winter of 2022-2023. In fact, we have the same snowpack at the springs this year as two years ago (2021-2022), but we have double the water coming to the treatment plant.

This increase in flows may be due to the replacement of 10,000 feet of wood stave pipeline with the new PVC pipeline, which was replaced from January to August 2022. However, this cannot be conclusively shown due to various factors that impact flows, including melt rates and a lack of meters throughout the collection system. If you like to review water flow and tank levels, our treatment staff posts them online at https://www.rawlinswy.gov/381/Flows-and-Storage-Data.

According to resources provided by the University of Wyoming Extension Office, watering of turf grass should ideally occur in two to three irrigations per week. Enough water should be provided so that the water can soak deep into the ground. Shallow, frequent irrigations will encourage shallow root growth and weaken lawn health. The Extension Office has many resources to offer scientific advice on lawn health, landscape design, and more.  The Extension Office also offers one-on-one consulting. Please call 307-328-2642.

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City of Rawlins Adjusts Park Watering and Splash Pad Hours While Meeting All Other Water Needs

The City of Rawlins has decreased irrigation of all city-owned parks and green spaces by approximately 50% and reduced daily splash pad hours by three hours, now operating from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

This decision helps prioritize critical water use while ensuring that the community’s water supply remains stable. Water flows from our springs and wells are currently holding steady at approximately 2.6 million gallons per day, which is meeting all residential, business, and essential community needs. At this time, there are no irrigation restrictions for community members.

We hope to increase watering of city green spaces once our pretreatment plant comes online. Our water treatment team is in the final stages of bringing the new SCADA system online at the pretreatment plant. Once operational, the plant will be able to treat the more turbid water from the Peaking Reservoir, which is currently storing river water, thanks to the new pumps installed in June. This treated river water can then be sent through the treatment plant to help support summer irrigation needs and may allow us to expand watering of public parks.

Residents may notice a change in the taste, smell, or feel of their water depending on the source being used. Currently, well water is contributing to increased salinity, which can soften water and make it feel slipperier. Once river water is treated and brought into the system, it may also result in changes in taste or smell due to open-air exposure and chemical treatment processes at the pretreatment plant.

For the latest water flow and tank level updates, which are refreshed multiple times a week, visit www.rawlinswy.gov/waterflows For more information, please contact Mira Miller, City of Rawlins Community Relations/PIO at 307-328-4500 ext. 1022. Interested in receiving news from the City? Sign up for news via email or text at www.rawlinswy.gov/notifyme under “City of Rawlins News.”