Whether skiing, irrigating orchards, fishing, growing a garden, brewing beer, or bathing children, nearly everything we do is somehow tied to water resources. In all likelihood, these resources also played a role in your reasons for living in this county. The health and availability of these resources have a direct effect on the quality of life of this community and those living downstream, now and in the future.
This time of the year, water tends to be a resource we all take for granted. The Hood River Valley has mountain snow, glaciers and spring-fed streams to sustain its water supply, and we receive more rain than our neighbors to the east. Yet during summer months, when water withdrawals are at their peak, many parts of the Hood River Watershed experience low stream flows. This can impair fish habitat and degrade water quality. Each of us can help keep more water in the Hood River and improve conditions for the people, fish and wildlife that make use of this limited resource. For many of us, the simplest place to conserve water is in our landscapes. The following tips can help you increase your water efficiency and eliminate water waste.
- Use drip irrigation or micro-sprinklers instead of overhead or impact sprinklers. You’ll save water, prevent erosion and leaching of nutrients, and minimize plant diseases caused by wetting the foliage of your plants.
- Irrigate early in the day between 4 and 9 a.m. when evaporation is lowest. The next best time is after 8 p.m. at night. Avoid watering on windy days.
- Never apply water faster than it can be absorbed. Sloped areas are tricky to water effectively. Contour around each plant to create a water well or use terracing and apply water at a slow rate.
- Water infrequently but deeply. This promotes growth of deep root systems so plants can withstand longer dry periods and stay healthy.
- Redirect sprinklers to avoid hitting the pavement. Watering pavement is a true waste.
- Regularly check for leaky sprinklers, hoses, broken sprinkler heads, and water lines. Fix leaks promptly.
- For new landscapes, choose native, drought-tolerant plants for future water savings and less maintenance.
- Consider letting your lawn go dormant in summer. It will green up again in the fall.
- Remove weeds regularly and use a weed barrier such as mulch material, bark, or landscape fabric. Mulches help conserve moisture while suppressing weeds.
- Add organic matter such as yard trimmings, manure, and leaves into your soil to increase water retention and nutrients.
Please join the effort to keep our creeks, rivers and streams healthy. Technical help, advice and cost assistance is available. For more information, please contact us!
