The lack of rain in most of California is now into the fourth consecutive year. In the Sierra Mountain Range the snowpack is at an all-time low. Virtually nonexistent, which effects most of California in one way or another.
The most severely impacted areas are in the Central Valley, Central Coast and all of Southern California, which depend on the Sierras’ for much needed water to supplement agriculture and domestic needs.
Here on the North Coast we are in a mild to severe drought, which means that we should still all be concerned about the shortage of rainfall.
The North Coast however has improved over the 2013-2014 rain season.
The Willow Creek Community Services District is in a very unique situation compared to most of the state. Our watershed has received between 37 to 40 inches of rainfall this season compared to 27 inches last year.
This is approximately 75 percent of our 20 year rainfall average of 53 inches.
As you know the Governor of California, Jerry Brown proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist throughout all of our State (Executive Order B-29-15). With this order come some restrictions on water usage.
The Governor is requiring all of Californians to cut back on outside watering by twenty five percent from the 2013 water year.
- No watering or washing down driveways.
- Washing vehicles with nozzles on hoses only.
- No wasting water by prolonged leaks.
- Turning auto sprinklers off during rain storms and for two days after.
- Ornamental fountains must have a recirculation water pump.
As part of this notification process, the Board of Directors of the Willow Creek Community Services District has implemented Ordinance 44, which has drought regulations, at the General Meeting in March of 2015.
The implementation of Ordinance 44 will take effect on June 1st.
The Willow Creek Community Services District has no intention to levy any fine for over use of our precious resource; however you will receive a stern letter if you do not comply with executive order B-29-15 and ordinance 44.
To be more efficient with outside watering, we recommend that you do not water between twelve noon and six p.m. This watering practice will be very beneficial and have a good outcome with your landscape.
The District will also be doing its’ part in water conservation. We are working on replacing a 47 year old redwood water tank, which has had many leaks.
The Community Services District will also be cutting back on watering throughout the park system, by about thirty percent.
The Willow Creek Community Services District must meet our total water usage of the 2013 water year, which was 220 million gallons. Last year Willow Creek exceeded that goal with 211 million gallons of treated water being processed.
Expedited actions are needed to reduce the harmful impacts from water shortages and other impacts of the drought. There is a distinct possibility that the current drought will stretch into a fifth straight year in 2016 and beyond.