Drought-Induced Problems and Responses of Small Towns and Rural Water Entities in Colorado: The 1976-1978 Drought

摘要

During the 1976-1978 drought, climate and hydrologic conditions varied significantly across the State of Colorado, with adjacent drainage basins often experiencing quite different conditions, thus emphasizing the important of providing climatological information and assistance programs tailored to local areas (e.g., the water districts). Small towns exprienced the intensificationof long existing problems such as lack of adequate raw water; poor system performance and loss of produced water due to insufficient maintenance; and inadequate cost management and use of water revenues for general purposes. Towns responded by carrying out emergency repairs, drilling wells, adding water rights, renting farm water, restricting water use, installing meters, and increasing water prices.