The Northern Water Board of Directors voted Thursday, May 12, to increase the Colorado-Big Thompson Project quota from 70 percent to 80 percent. 

Citing the effects of a dry, windy April and the increased agricultural needs throughout the region that those conditions created, the board authorized the release of an additional 31,000 acre-feet of water from C-BT Project reservoirs this water year, which ends on Oct. 31. Public input was also considered in the board’s decision. 

Based on the Board’s election to provide additional supplemental supply to the region, allottees of Colorado-Big Thompson Project supplies are entitled to eight-tenths of an acre-foot for each allotment contract unit held. This year marks the second time in three years that the board has increased the quota from its April declaration. Water from the C-BT Project supplements other water sources for 33 cities and towns, 120 agricultural irrigation companies, various industries and other water users within Northern Water’s 1.6 million-acre service area.