A wet summer in Northeastern Colorado means the C-BT Project is well positioned to meet water users’ needs in 2024.

During the C-BT's water delivery year, which runs from Nov. 1, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2023, the C-BT delivered more than 163,000 acre-feet of water, which is 81 percent of the project’s historical average. With the reduced demand in the agricultural sector during June, total deliveries were about 57 percent to municipal and industrial users compared to 43 percent to agricultural users.

However, the moisture of the late spring and early summer did not persist through August and September. That meant C-BT Project water was used to meet late-season irrigation and municipal supplemental water needs. In the 66 years of full project operations, that late-season water has been key to a vibrant ag economy in the region.

For 2024, project reservoirs are above their historical averages as the region’s water supply managers give close scrutiny to soil moisture, snowpack and other regional reservoirs to make sure water users’ needs are met in the future.