As it did during the drought in 2002, Stafford County is keeping a close watch on the reservoir water levels. FILE/REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Stafford County is under a "severe drought"

Date published: 8/7/2007

BY KAFIA HOSH

Sprinkle your plants judiciously this summer because Stafford County is under a "severe drought," according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Little rainfall over the last 90 days caused a drier-than-normal season in Stafford and parts of Northern Virginia.

Since the beginning of July, the county has seen less than one inch of precipitation.

Stafford residents and business owners are being urged to conserve water when nourishing their gardens or lawns.

County officials recommend the following practices:

Stop watering lawns and allow the grass to turn brown. In most cases, the grass will become dormant and will revive once rainfall increases.

Water trees, bushes and other landscaping with a bucket or a hose with a turnoff valve.

If you must water a new lawn or plants, do so only between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to prevent the water from evaporating in the day's heat.

If residents fail to limit water usage, then the county could impose restrictions, according to Bob Bos, director of the utilities department.

But "if people follow those three [recommendations], there will be plenty of water," he said.

Stafford has issued mandatory water restrictions before. In 2002, residents were forced to cut back on outdoor water usage because of dry weather.

Little rainfall lead to water level drop-offs in the county's two reservoirs.

Abel Lake Reservoir is down 38 inches, and Smith Lake Reservoir is down 85 inches from full capacity.

Water levels have been decreasing between one and two inches a day, since the basins were last recorded full on May 26.

"We just need to have people use water wisely," said Harry Critzer, assistant director of utilities.

To meet future water needs, Stafford plans to build the Rocky Pen Reservoir, off of U.S. 17. The project is slated for completion in 2011.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is administered by the federal government and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Date published: 8/7/2007