Every Drop Counts: How Broken Tee is Conserving Water During Colorado's Drought

At Broken Tee Golf Course, we understand that course conditions may look a little different this summer. As Colorado continues to experience severe drought conditions, our team is taking proactive steps to conserve water while preserving the long-term health of the golf course.

One thing many golfers may not realize is that Broken Tee operates on a 100% non-potable irrigation system. Unlike many landscapes that rely on treated drinking water, our irrigation system is supplied entirely by six on-site wells, two dedicated pump stations, and seven interconnected storage ponds that provide water for approximately 100 acres of irrigated turf across our 160-acre property.

Unfortunately, the ongoing drought has significantly impacted our groundwater supply. Our irrigation wells are currently producing approximately 25% less water than they were at this time last year, leaving us with less water than the golf course requires during the hottest part of the season.

Using Technology to Maximize Every Gallon

Our Agronomics Team continually monitors course conditions and utilizes advanced technologies to ensure every gallon of water is used as efficiently as possible, including:

• Weather stations that monitor environmental conditions in real time.
• Soil moisture sensors that measure water availability within the turf's root zone.
• Central irrigation controls that allow irrigation schedules to be adjusted daily based on weather, evapotranspiration, and turf needs.
• Precision irrigation practices that target only the areas that require water.
• Strategic turf management practices that maximize playability while minimizing unnecessary water use.

Prioritizing What Matters Most

With a reduced water supply, our staff must carefully prioritize where water is applied to protect the most critical playing surfaces first. Our irrigation priorities are:

1. Greens
2. Tees
3. Fairways
4. Roughs
5. Native areas

This approach helps ensure the areas that most directly affect your playing experience remain healthy while allowing less critical turf areas to temporarily receive less irrigation.

What You May Notice on the Golf Course

As part of our conservation efforts, you may see:

• Brown or thin turf areas. These areas are intentionally being allowed to enter dormancy to conserve water. Dormant turf is not dead—it is a natural survival response and is expected to recover with cooler temperatures or rainfall. Areas that do not recover will be reseeded this fall.
• Staff hand watering and spot watering early in the morning. Before 10:00 a.m., our maintenance team hand-waters specific areas to minimize evaporation and maximize water absorption into the soil. Because our irrigation system is operating with a limited water supply, these targeted efforts help us use water where it is needed most.
• Additional ropes and stakes around the course. These areas have been temporarily restricted to reduce cart and foot traffic on drought-stressed turf. Excessive traffic can cause additional damage and slow recovery. We appreciate your cooperation in respecting these boundaries.

Looking Ahead

The good news is that these conservation measures are expected to be temporary. As temperatures cool and daylight hours shorten, the golf course naturally requires less irrigation. We are optimistic that cooler weather—and hopefully additional monsoon moisture—will reduce water demands and allow the course to recover. This fall, our Agronomics Team will aggressively reseed any areas that need additional attention to ensure healthy turf heading into next season.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging conditions. Every decision our team makes is focused on balancing responsible water stewardship with providing the best golf experience possible.

Thank you for helping us protect one of Colorado's most valuable natural resources.

Watch our accompanying video to hear directly from our Golf Superintendent as he explains the challenges of managing a golf course during drought conditions and demonstrates the water conservation practices taking place every day at Broken Tee Golf Course.