Drought and a drop in underground water levels are challenges for farmers everywhere. For example, Arizona farmers are trying to maintain an adequate water supply for their operations. Add on a new ‘lakeside’ residential development and it becomes a critical issue.
While living beside a pristine, tranquil lake sounds appealing and is a key tool for selling houses even in these difficult economic times, the reality is, this city is in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, in central Arizona. The lake is manmade and feeds the underground irrigation system that is necessary to keep the large lawns thriving even in the hot dry summer months. A nearby golf course adds to the appeal of this community, but also requires regular watering to keep the greens green.
Most of the water in the Maricopa/Pinal County area is supplied by the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Through a 336-mile long system of aqueducts, tunnels, pumping plants and pipelines, CAP carries Colorado River water from Lake Havasu to the area just southwest of Tucson, where it is managed by individual irrigation districts. Farmers must purchase water to supplement their own supplies from their local irrigation district. Some water comes from natural aquifers, but the aquifers are draining faster than they are being recharged. Eight of the past nine years have been very dry. The groundwater level is dropping and local rivers are drying up. The average annual rainfall is only 11 inches, and when it does rain flooding occurs.
Water starved alfalfa field
Arizona’s agriculture depends on water for irrigation of its crops and watering of its livestock. In fact, water supply is a producer’s highest cost! Some are forced to drastic measures. For example, to ensure an adequate water supply for its 10,000 head dairy herd, Shamrock Farms was forced to drill a well more than 1,650 feet deep. Crop farmers are forced to build irrigation ditches on their land to feed the water to their fields and are using advanced laser leveling technology to ensure optimum water flow to their entire crop. Some fields remain uncultivated due to the lack of water supply.
More emphasis must be placed on water preservation and smarter use of this precious resource as the population in this area grows. The appeal of living in the desert is what drew people to this area. More emphasis should be put on desert-adapted landscaping and making wise water use choices. Maintaining a grass lawn in Arizona wastes a considerable amount of water with the constant watering that is necessary in the summer. There are beautiful native shrubs, trees and cactus that are pleasing to the eye and require little water. Perhaps a higher rate could be charged to those who do not use water responsibly.
There is a need to start conserving water supplies to protect the quality of life in the desert environment, today. Conservation and good sense can lead to ensuring that there is enough water available for Arizona’s farmers for years to come.
Irrigation hoses
I really like this post. It’s packed with information and brings a Canadian perspective to an unfamiliar situation (at least to southwestern Ontario Canadians) without being too gee-whiz, zealous or judgmental about it.