Durango to get all winter water from Animas River

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) -- The Animas River will be the sole source of winter water for the city of Durango due to work at Lemon Dam.

The Durango Herald reports the Florida River is the city's usual source of water but will slow from its typical winter flow of 10 to 11 cubic feet per second to about 3 cubic feet per second while crews perform maintenance on the dam.

Utilities director Steve Salka said a $1 million project adjusted the river's flow so that 3.3 million gallons can be drawn daily from the Animas.

Residents use about 3 million gallons of water per day.

Salka said the water does not pose any health risks.

The Animas was one of the rivers impacted by the Gold King Mine spill in August 2015.