President’s Message

Water Shortage on the Colorado River – What it Means to You

Fall Is here! Temperatures are down, kids are back in school, and our desert is so green due to all the monsoonal rains! Oh, and did I mention weeds? That will have to be a topic for another day.

We have been very fortunate in the amount of rain we received this year. Most of our reservoirs are at or near capacity. But sadly, not the ones that matter most! Recently ALCA had Jeff Lee, Water Conservation Specialist for the Town of Gilbert, host a seminar to discuss the “Shortage on the Colorado River” and what this will mean to Dwight Faires most of us. 2021 ALCA President As Jeff explained, currently, A Tier 1 Shortage for the Colorado River has been confirmed for 2022. This will affect what we all do from maintenance to new installs. The 20-year drought that we have experience has left Lake Mead at 32% and Lake Powell at 33% capacity. Due to the lack of snow fall in the Colorado river watershed which feeds these large reservoirs both are now at a structural deficit. Simply put, we are taking more out of them than we add. This year’s monsoonal rains did very little to add any relief to them.

Add to this the huge increase in demand – more people, more agriculture and other pressures and effects. Climate is trending hotter, drier. Winter rains and snow pack well below historical averages. There is a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) that will affect the seven basins states that rely on water from the Colorado River. We are currently in a Tier 0, voluntary cut backs. We will be moving to a Tier 1 next year as I previously mentioned. Tier 2 that is predicted in the near future will affect municipal water supplies but not what they can deliver. Most urban water suppliers have multiple sources of water and can mitigate shortages from the Colorado River. Simply, the less pressure we put on the alternate sources and the river will give us more time for snow pack to once again do its job. I Pray!

Going forward, do your part to conserve. Companies performing maintenance, inspect your irrigation systems. Fix leaks! Study and understand your soil types. This one is huge. Different soils require completely different water cycles. Work to water less frequently but deeper. Know your plant material and water accordingly. If your properties have high water use plants, consider working with your clients and getting them changed out to more drought tolerant plant materials. Look, a revenue generator!

If you are designing and installing new landscapes, push for more arid style plantings. If you have never read the AMWUA Guide for planting in the southwest, they have great ideas for plant selections and this will help save water. Tucson has for many years required water harvesting, learn how to do this and get your clients on board. This too is a great way to increase the bottom line by adding this to your designs.

If we all start doing our part we could delay stricter restrictions. Plans are in place to mandate water conservation. Each municipality will react differently in response to elevated Tiers or Stages. Get to know what each will require based on your geographic area of work. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) will be the driving force to elevate or decrease the Tier restrictions.

In closing, let us all be leaders in this endeavor to conserve. Be smart, be educated and stress to your clients the importance of saving our water resources. Capitalize on this drought crisis where you can but most importantly, DO YOUR PART!

Thanks for reading and until next time.

Dwight Faires President

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