GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4)- The City of Greeley is urging homeowners to cut back on watering a little earlier than normal this year.

The city usually recommends stopping regular lawn watering on October 15 since that is the time the first freeze occurs and could damage underground sprinkler systems.

This year Greeley is asking water customers to voluntarily stop lawn watering on or before October 1.

The move is designed to keep more water in the reservoirs over the winter months. It will also help once lawn watering resumes in the spring.

Drought conditions and wildfires have kept the water levels low in the Poudre River watershed. Wildfires kept the water source off limits for much of the summer and has limited supplies.

Water levels in Boyd Lake and Lake Loveland are extremely low as the city relied on Boyd Lake more this year.

Boyd Lake (credit: City of Greeley)

The water restrictions normally extend to December 31 to allow customers to water trees and shrubs in the winter. Residents are encouraged to water trees and shrubs this year because of the dry conditions but to water only when needed.