The Town of Frisco has moved to Phase Two mandatory water use restrictions effective immediately, as water levels in North Ten Mile Creek have dropped below the required threshold for voluntary measures. On August 13, 2025, streamflow was measured at 2.60 cubic feet per second (CFS), just above the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s August minimum requirement of 2.50 CFS—and below the Town’s trigger for mandatory restrictions.
Town of Frisco water is primarily produced from the Wayne Bristol Surface Water Treatment Plant: rated at 1 million gallons per day production and has a water right on North Ten Mile Creek for 1.54 cubic feet per second. The Town is also currently using two water wells, Wells 5 and 6, to provide water, while Well 7 remains unused due to the implementation of PFAS treatment plans.
Water Use Restriction Details
Phase Two restrictions make the Town’s irrigation schedule and other requirements enforceable under Section 171-22 of the Frisco Water Code.
Outdoor Watering/Irrigation Mandatory Restrictions
The irrigation schedule—unchanged from voluntary Phase 1—is as follows and is now mandatory:
- Watering is allowed at even-numbered addresses on the following schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday- overnight between 6:00pm and 9:00am
- Watering is allowed at odd-numbered addresses on the following schedule: Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday- overnight between 6:00pm and 9:00am
- No outdoor irrigation is permitted on Mondays.
- Flowers, decorative plants, bushes and trees may be watered at any time and on any day so long as such watering is done by way of drip irrigation or by hand using a watering can or a hose with an automatic shut-off valve.
Other Water Use Restrictions
- You may only wash a structure, motor vehicle or boat, if the hose being used is equipped with an automatic shut-off valve.
- You may not wash any paved area.
- You may only serve water to a customer of a commercial establishment if the customer first requests water.
Background and Outlook
North Ten Mile Creek is currently flowing below seasonal averages. While the Town’s well supply is stable and meeting demand, creek levels are an important source of water for Frisco. If flows continue to drop, the Town may need to temporarily suspend production from the creek and rely more heavily on Wells 5 and 6.
Frisco rarely needed to move beyond voluntary Phase One voluntary restrictions. The last significant water shortage occurred during the summer of 2012, when drought conditions forced the Town to turn off the water treatment plant.
Phase Two is precautionary—not an emergency—and is intended to reduce strain on the Town’s water pumps during low creek flow periods and protect this creek habitat. Fire protection and the supply of drinking water are not currently at risk.
Future Restrictions
If conditions worsen, Phase 3 restrictions may be triggered. These occur when:
- North Ten Mile Creek flows drop more than 1.0 CFS below the State-mandated bypass flow, or
- Town well production averages fall 20%–40% below the three-year average, and
- Public notice is issued.
Phase 3 restrictions would involve additional limits on water use.
Community Cooperation
Residents and businesses should comply fully with the water use restrictions, avoid water waste, and remain mindful of water use as summer continues.
For more details on Frisco’s water use code and conservation efforts, visit FriscoWater.com or contact the Public Works Department at (970) 668-0836.