Page 5 - Efficient Irrigation and Landscape Design Standards

2015 DROUGHT
During the 2015 drought, water sources that typically feed the aquifer ran low. In some cases rivers ran dry and area lakes had water levels lower than had been seen in decades. In contrast,
the hot dry summer weather caused homeowners and landscape maintenance staff to dramatically increase watering times in an effort to keep landscapes looking lush. Private well owners in the City of Coeur d’Alene went to the City and other purveyors to purchase water. The City of Airway Heights, which sits adjacent to the SVRP, ran out of water and enacted odd and even day watering. Airway Heights was eventually forced to purchase water from the City of Spokane SVRP system as their wells were depleted.
Scientific weather models predict more years of drought like
2015 in the future. Warmer winter weather is leading to winter precipitation falling in the mountains as rain instead of snow.
With a lower snow pack, this “snow drought” causes rivers and streams feeding the aquifer to run dry earlier in the year. More frequent water shortages combined with increased demand and population growth mandate more efficient use of water withdrawn from the SVRP aquifer.
A REGIONAL NEED OF EFFICIENCY
One way to combat water shortages is to enact water efficient irrigation and landscape requirements for new and rehabilitated landscape projects. Water conservation has not historically been specifically addressed in irrigation and landscape design practices in the region.
Due to ever-increasing demands on our limited water resources and inefficient uses of water there is a need for regional irrigation efficiency and design standards. For that purpose, IWAC developed these regional Efficient Irrigation and Landscape Design Standards. This guide will aid municipalities and water purveyors to promote water use efficiency of our sole source aquifer.
N i n e M i l e , W A L i b e r t y L a k e , W A C o e u r d ’A l e n e , I D
August 8, 2015, Spokane River flows at 630 cfs. photo –John Osborn
July 15, 2014 Spokane River flows at 2500 cfs. photo –John Osborn
EFFICIENT IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE DESIGN STANDARDS 5