Water Conservation

The bottom of Osprey Falls on the Gardner River.

NPS/Herbert

The water that flows through Yellowstone National Park is a vital national resource. The park itself was designated to protect the unique geothermal and hydrological features within its boundaries. In addition, Yellowstone contains the headwaters of seven major rivers. Natural water systems are critical to the hydrothermal features and ecological processes protected in Yellowstone. With a changing climate, already drier and warmer throughout much of the Rocky Mountain West, it is critical that we conserve water and ensure that our facilities and operations have minimal impact on water resources.

As we strive for efficient water use, it is also imperative that we assess future demand and the impacts of structures and pavements on natural surface water systems. Currently, over 250 million gallons are used each year for hydrating, flushing, and washing in the park. Yellowstone plans to reduce overall potable water consumption through thoughtful planning and robust monitoring; updated facilities using water-smart technology and design; and helping visitors and park employees conserve water while travelling and at home.

 

Yellowstone Water Conservation Goals

Minimize impacts to Yellowstone's natural hydrological and geothermal systems.

• Minimize the impact of paved surfaces on natural resources. Reduce paved surfaces in the park, increase use of permeable pavement materials that are recycled, bio based, or inert. 
• Integrate best practices for storm water mitigation into construction projects and to prevent excess storm water runoff. 

Decrease potable water consumption

• Improve metering and reporting of water use in the park.
• Identify leaks and deteriorating infrastructure. Repair and/or upgrade to more efficient fixtures and systems.
• Reduce irrigated areas. Assess the feasibility of rainwater harvesting and gray water reuse for lawn and native plant irrigation.
• Share water conservation strategies and inspire visitors and staff to conserve water in Yellowstone and at home

 

2018 Sustainability Report on Water

As the Rocky Mountain West becomes warmer and drier with the progress of the effects of cli-mate change, it is important that Yellowstone minimizes water use and our impact on surrounding national water resources.

Yellowstone is known for its amazing hydrothermal and natural water features that host events unique to Yellowstone, and each year more than four million visitors come to experience these natural anomalies.

Currently, over 250 million gallons are used for hydrating, flushing, and washing each year. Continued education of our visitors and staff is important, but changing people’s habits is one of the toughest challenges of lessened water (and energy) use. Our plan to continue installing water-smart technology and design is the best way to keep our water use and impact down.

Even though we are using more water than the base year, 2018 did see a decrease (4.5%) in overall water use across the park compared to 2017. This shows we are on the right track, especially from the NPS side with a decrease of over 15% from 2017 to 2018. Continued vigilance in updating our water infrastructure should keep this trend going!

 

2018 Progress

Baseline Year, 2007 (NPS, Xanterra, Delaware North)

• 271,213,835 gallons

2018 Progress (NPS, Xanterra, Delaware North)

• 285,459,593 gallons (5.3% increase)

NPS Project

To identify unseen weaknesses, a leak detection survey was performed on potable water pipes in Canyon Village and Norris water systems. This noninvasive survey tested 206 areas using acoustic sensor technology and located eight leaks. Small, hidden leaks like these can release thousands of gallons of drinking water a day, so it is important to stay vigilant and continue these surveys to reduce water use at Yellowstone National Park.

 

Water Use in Gallons

User	2007 (Baseline Year)	2016	2017	2018	2018 % Change from Baseline
NPS	158,337,935	152,277,550	163,515,310	138,302,549	-12.7%
Xanterra	104,683,900	125,766,345	125,786,584	137,491,944	+31.3%
Delaware North	8,192,000	8,382,000	9,737,500	9,665,100	+18.0%
YPSS	--	1,513,006	1,547,066	1,605,774	--
Medcor	--	108,952	101,217	244,926	--
Other (Northwestern Energy, CenturyLink, USPS)	--	1,508,000	415,696	259,749	--
Totals	271,213,835	289,555,853	301,103,373	287,570,042	--

 

2018 Water Use in Gallons by User by Location

Location	NPS	Xanterra	Delaware North	YPSS	Medcor	Other (Northwestern Energy, CenturyLink, USPS)	Total
Canyon	25,205,600	22,878,000	2,428,100	270,000	--	--	50,781,700
Gardiner	269,800	6,875,900	--	179,989	--	--	7,307,689
Grant Village	16,165,969	11,749,000	1,120,000	229,000	--	11,031	29,275,000
Lake, Fishing Bridge, and Bridge Bay	13,685,912	34,181,488	2,169,000	125,000	205,000	32,600	50,399,000
Mammoth	58,565,410	26,049,990	281,000	221,900	11,000	188,700	85,318,000
Madison Junction	2,033,192	2,160,611	--	--	--	--	4,193,803
Norris	2,304,735	--	--	--	--	--	2,304,735
Old Faithful	16,102,816	30,334,955	2,739,000	234,885	28,926	27,418	49,468,000
Tower (Fall Area and Roosevelt)	808,000	3,280,000	536,000	345,000	--	--	4,969,000
West Yellowstone	301,000	--	392,000	--	--	--	693,000
Small Locations (Campgrounds, etc.)	2,860,115	--	--	--	--	--	2,860,115
2018 Totals	138,302,549	137,491,944	9,665,100	1,605,774	244,926	259,749	287,570,042