Water Conservation Guidance for Landowners

Home News Water Conservation Guidance for Landowners

Posted on May 21, 2015

Do you ever use water without thinking about it? Of course, we all do. Sometimes (or maybe most of the time), we take for granted the fact that when we turn on the tap, cold, clean water comes rushing out. We are all incredibly fortunate to live in an area where plentiful water has been a reliable resource. In the past, when we’ve used it thoughtlessly, or even excessively, we’ve rarely faced consequences. However, this year is different and we all need to do our part to conserve that precious resource.

2015 Water Shortage in Hood River

The Hood River Valley is experiencing one of the worst water years on record with the Hood River running 39% of normal, as of June 1st. The Mt. Hood snow survey site has 0 inches of snow water equivalent (there would be 48 inches on June 1st in an average year). As a result of these severe conditions, many irrigation districts will likely face water reductions and rotation schedules on all water users. At this time, we (and all local irrigation districts) are asking Hood River landowners to voluntarily reduce their water use by at least 25 percent.

For many, the water shortage will be an inconvenience. For others, it will affect their livelihood. Agriculture is a large economic base in the Hood River Valley and is dependent on irrigation for cropping. Farmers will need to accurately assess their water needs and increase their efforts to apply only enough water to maintain crops. Those that do not need to irrigate are encouraged not to.

Conservation Tips and Reminders

Do you have a water right? If not, please know that domestic water should not be used for irrigation. Please check out this link for tips and tricks on how to conserve water in your home. Here\’s a great publication with water saving tips outside your home.

Stay within your allowed water use rate. If you have a water right and your water is delivered by an irrigation district, they are allowed to divert 5.6 gallons per minute (gpm) per acre. Water is lost in the conveyance system through evaporation, seepage, etc. and the amount delivered may be closer to 70-80% of the 5.6 gpm/acre. For example, East Fork Irrigation District\’s policy is a flow rate of 4.49 gpm/acre. In which case, a half-acre parcel of land should be irrigated with no more than 2.25 gpm, which requires no more than one sprinkler.

Please take the time to learn how much water you are eligible to use. Then ensure that you always stay within the law and use only what you are allowed, or less. Check out this handy resource for calculating your water right.

We are surprised by people who follow traffic laws yet willingly and knowingly violate water law under the outdated notion that “it is my water and I am going to use it as I see fit.” This way of thinking could lead to tougher rules and mandates by the State. We have no further to look than the Klamath Basin to see what can happen when water users are not proactive in using this valuable resource as wisely as possible.

A frequently asked question is “If I don’t use the water today, can I use twice as much water tomorrow?” The answer is NO. You are only allowed to use at or less the legal rate anytime you are applying water.

Assistance is available through the Hood River Soil & Water Conservation District and at each irrigation district to help you determine how much water you can apply at any one time. The local irrigation suppliers can also guide you to efficient micro-sprinkler or drip systems that apply water at low rates.

Reduce and downsize irrigation sprinklers; fix leaks. Consider voluntarily reducing the number of sprinklers you are using. Fix any leaks quickly and do not leave sprinklers running in one place for longer than necessary. Another excellent tool for water savings is replacing your sprinkler nozzles or emitters. Simply reducing impact sprinkler nozzles from 1/8 inch to 7/64 inch will save a tremendous amount of water. Combine that with taking a few sprinklers off line and you can really make a difference. Many irrigation districts will gladly assist you with measuring your water use and provide you with helpful information.

Pay attention to lawn sprinklers. Many landowners use outdated and wasteful impact sprinklers, “butterfly” sprinklers, and single and double-hole “spray type” lawn sprinklers. The average yellow “butterfly” sprinkler uses 5-7 gallons per minute (gpm); a landowner would need to have 1-2 acres to justify using just one sprinkler of this type. Single and double-hole “spray type” lawn sprinklers often use in excess of 10-12 gpm. That rate of flow from just one sprinkler uses the entire allowable rate for at least 2 acres. Many homeowners use considerably more water than their legal rate with these outdated application methods.

Please pay attention to how much water you are applying, replace inefficient sprinklers, and invest in responsible application methods (such as micro-sprinklers, which use about 1 gpm or less). Do not string several sprinklers together to cover your lawn in a shorter period of time. Know the rate you are allowed to use and stay within it.

Water early in the morning, late in the evening, or at night. Consider operational changes that will conserve water. To reduce irrigation times, water in the early morning, late evening, or at night when evaporation is much less and, therefore, when more of the water applied goes where it is needed.

Finally, do not leave your sprinklers running for excessive periods of time. Lawns can be adequately watered in just a couple of hours a week. Most lawns only need about an inch of water a week to stay green. (Try using a tuna can (which is about an inch deep) to measure how much water you are applying.) If you really want to help conserve water this year, let your lawn go dormant. Lawns will become dormant when they are not watered, but rest assured, they will green up again when the rains come. Please consider not using any water on your lawn. It will save water and save you the time and effort of mowing!

Everyone Can Do Their Part

This is shaping up to be one of the toughest water years in history for the Hood River Basin. Please do your part to conserve and reduce water use so irrigation districts and other water managers do not have to implement extreme and disruptive rotation schedules or mandatory water restrictions. Only by cooperative conservation can we avoid more aggressive water conservation methods this summer.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you need any assistance with your water conservation efforts, please contact us.