Drought's impact lingers in region CONSERVING WATER

Latest state report shows drought lingering on, despite recent rains

Date published: 11/25/2007

By RUSTY DENNEN

Most of Virginia's farms, streams and drinking-water reservoirs--including those in the Fredericksburg area--are still showing the effects of drought.

That's according to the latest state Drought Monitoring Task Force report released this week, which noted that while recent rains have been helpful, a lot more is needed.

Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.

Going into this weekend, rainfall for Fredericksburg was about 10 inches below normal for the year. Accu Weather.com puts the total at 28.35 inches for the year to date. The normal amount for the period is 38.57 inches.

The drought task force report looks at such things as stream flow, reservoir levels, soil moisture--important to farmers--and the potential for wildfires.

The Rappahannock and Potomac rivers have been running at below-normal levels for months now.

Water levels in the Rappahannock have recovered somewhat from near-record lows during the late summer and early fall. But the levels are still far below normal.

The river was flowing at about 150 cubic feet per second yesterday. The average flow for that date is about 1,330 cfs.

Nurseries and landscapers have been hit hard by the dry conditions.

"If Virginia continues with a dry winter, next spring will be very difficult" for them, the report says.

"Wholesale and nursery stock growers had very slow sales this fall and are stuck with excess inventory."

Farmers have much less hay to feed livestock.

"Cuttings of hay have been reduced to as much as 50 percent," according to the report, leading to shortages in Virginia and the parched Southeast.

One silver lining: "Cooler weather and recent rains have helped to reduce the overall threat of wildfire."

Gov. Tim Kaine in mid-October imposed a statewide ban on open fires. That ban was lifted Nov. 15.

Since Oct. 15, 120 wildfires burned 859 acres and destroyed three homes, the state Department of Forestry reports.

The long-term outlook is not encouraging. The National Weather Service forecast for Virginia through February calls for below-normal rainfall.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Virginia remains in a moderate drought, with the southwestern tip of the state in extreme drought.

According to the state report, eight area localities remain under water restrictions. There are voluntary measures in Lake Caroline, the town of Culpeper, Lake Wilderness in Spotsylvania County, and Lake of the Woods and Gordonsville in Orange County. Mandatory restrictions are in effect in Stafford County and the Fauquier County towns of Marshall and Warrenton.

The average home uses more than 200 gallons of water per day. Here are some tips for cutting back: Outfit older toilets' tanks with a plastic jug of pebbles and water to reduce flush volume. Operate clothes washers-- another big water-user--with full loads and use correct settings. Old washers require approximately 41 gallons per load, while new high-efficiency machines use only 23. Turn off faucets while brushing teeth, shaving or washing. Catch "warm-up" water in sinks, tubs and showers and use for plants; consider installing low-flow restrictors/aerators. Check for water leaks around the home, which waste thousands of gallons annually. Source: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Follow us on

Date published: 11/25/2007