Drought conditions in California are forcing property owners to come up with solutions for landscaping that are not only drought-tolerant but also attractive. There are many low-water plants, trees and ground covers that can be used and this is referred to as 'softscape'. In addition, the use of 'hardscape' landscaping includes the use of non-living elements to create pathways, patios and other areas of functional space. Using softscape in combination with hardscape is a creative solution that can produce a beautiful and interesting garden and also save valuable water resources and money.
There are many choices of drought tolerant plants for softscaping that can thrive in Southern California. Mediterranean varieties as well as native plants are among the best suited for our climate. Lavender, thyme and oregano are plants that add beauty and fragrance to a garden and require very little water. Yarrow and California poppy are native plants that also have lower water requirements. Bougainvillea can provide a lovely infusion of color and height on a trellis. Milkweed is a wonderful native plant that helps Monarch butterflies. There are many ornamental grasses like sheep fescue and deergrass, that provide texture and color and can be a great substitute for lawns. Some examples of perennials that have lower water requirements are: mallow, lamb’s ears, catmint, coyote mint, California fuschia and penstemons, to name just a few. Succulents are another good choice for Southern California!
While softscape plants should be chosen to fit the California climate, hardscaping ideas are practically limitless. Rock walls, patios, paths, and boulders are some design elements that can be used. Paths that wander through your garden are inviting and a wonderful way to create depth perception. Pathways can be made of flagstone, concrete, pea gravel, brick, bark, or cobblestone to name a few. Raised planters and divisions can add interest and bring beauty to your design. Adding a water feature with a recirculating pump, like a pond or a birdbath, attracts wildlife and brings tranquility. A garden bench, swing, and patio furniture invites you to relax in your garden. In addition, decks and gazebos are wonderful design elements that can extend your living space into your landscape. Our professional team at Pacific Vista Landscape Services are experts creating softscape and hardscape combinations. We can help design, build, and plant your perfect waterwise garden oasis!
May 18, 2016 brought a surprising reversal of the mandatory statewide 25% urban water use reduction in California. The new rules will take place on June 1st. Struggling through the 5th year of one of the worst droughts in California’s recent history, the new policy was an unexpected change after winter storms fell short of expected totals, especially in Southern California.
The good news is that according to a new survey shared by National Geographic, the snowpack of the Sierra Nevada is up to almost its average: "California's five-year drought isn't over yet, but the state's snowpack now stands at 97 percent of its historical average, according to a measurement taken today in the Sierra Nevada.”
However the report also confirms the need for future conservation: "The state has lost so much water over the past several years that it will take more than this season to refill aquifers and reservoirs, a fact that may prompt additional conservation measures. Further, the state is expected to see a rising population—and therefore more water demand—as well as increased climate uncertainty in the future.”
Last year, Gov. Brown ordered a 25% cut in water usage statewide, while some communities with the highest use per-capita, were ordered to make up to a 36% cut. Californians did overall a great job cutting usage by an average of 24 percent compared to 2013 levels.
However, some worry the overall suspension of restrictions sends the wrong message that the drought is over and people will go back to wasting water which will lead to statewide restrictions being re-instated. Hopefully people will make it a lifestyle change like they have in Australia: "After a decade-long drought devastated parts of Australia, governments, farmers, businesses, and citizens got even more serious about saving water. The result is that South Australians use four to five times less water per capita than Californians. “
The move to suspend restrictions statewide comes with new rules empowering regional water districts to make their own restrictions based on water supply. This makes sense because the state’s drought levels vary largely between northern and southern California: "The state has long struggled to find ways to get water in the north to the people in the south. The state’s reservoir levels reflect the geographical disparity of El Niño. The state’s two largest and most important reservoirs, Shasta Lake and Oroville Lake, are both above their historical averages for this time of year. But reservoirs farther south, like New Melones Lake and Castaic Lake, remain far below average."
Although state water regulations have been suspended, the state made it permanently forbidden to wash a car without a shut-off valve, watering of street medians, and hosing down driveways and sidewalks.
Agricultural restrictions are still in place and abide by a different set of rules. California agriculture uses the most of state’s water supply. Their restrictions were also based on seniority and will adjust as more water becomes available.
Possible other sources of relief would come from new technology and a better infrastructure. Water catchment systems are also proving beneficial. Landscaping irrigation systems with Smart Meters are a great investment for everyone from homeowners to commercial property owners and do an incredible job of watering only when truly needed.
Our experts at Pacific Vista Landscape Services are great at saving water! We have the latest in water saving irrigation systems and Smart Meters! Install a water saving system for your property and be proactive with helping our wonderful state save water while you also save money! It's a win win!
source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160330-california-snow-survey-snowpack-water-drought
Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification which involves the introduction of silver iodide (or sometimes dry ice) into the clouds to activate the formation of precipitation in the form of rain or snow. Cloud seeding has evolved over the years and scientists now know more about the process and what works and what doesn’t.
The technology of seeding clouds was introduced 70 years ago by the experiments of Vincent Schaefer. In 1946, this self-taught chemist seeded clouds over the mountains of Massachusetts with six pounds of dry ice. This experiment resulted in snowfall. Since then, his experiment has led to the belief that cloud seeding could be an answer to the ongoing problems of drought, control of forest fires, control of mega storms and the reduction of damaging hail.
Los Angeles County has attempted to increase precipitation by using cloud seeding since 1950‘s. In the recent rainfall in early March, 2016, clouds were seeded over Los Angeles. This was the first cloud seeding in LA done by the Department of Public Works since 2005.
How Is Cloud Seeding Done?
There are a couple ways to seed clouds. One way is via an airplane flying into the clouds with flares on the wings to release aerosolized silver iodide to stimulate rain and snow. Another way is using generators, which resemble mini missile launchers that sit on the ground and shoot silver iodide smoke into the clouds. The particles in the smoke attract water vapor which freeze onto the particles. When the frozen particles become heavy enough, they fall as rain.
Is Cloud Seeding Safe?
Because the small amount of silver iodide that is used, it is generally conceeded that cloud seeding does not harm the environment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “there is no reason to fear any toxic effects.”
Does Cloud Seeding Really Work?
The process of cloud seeding has improved over the years, but there is a difference of opinion as to whether or not cloud seeding really works, and if there are any long-term negative repercussions on the environment from the use of this process. In an article published in the LA Times, the Los Angeles County officials stated that their studies show that cloud seeding results in about a 15 percent increase in rainfall. However, there is is some disagreement coming from the scientific community regarding this figure. To quote from Lynn Russell of Scripts Institute’s Department of Atmospheric Chemistry, “there is no scientist who actually thinks that cloud seeding works.” She stated in an interview with NBC San Diego, that “there is has been no scientific increase in rainfall totals when seeding techniques are used.” In addition, there are still questions about how much extra precipitation seeding actually creates. The Desert Research Institute of Nevada has estimated that cloud seeding has produced an increase of ten percent in the snowpack. However, in 2013, the California Department of Water Resources issued a report that stated that cloud seeding only produced an average snowpack of four percent.
The Future of Cloud Seeding
Cloud seeding programs across the country are awaiting the completion of a 13 million dollar study started in 2005 by the state of Wyoming. This is the first truly exhaustive, in depth study of the technology. It will attempt to determine whether or not cloud seeding will increase the snowpack in the state’s mountain ranges. It is believed by many in the field that this study will bring new credence to the process.
However, Robert Moore of the National Resources Defence Council (NRDC) states that “the efficient use of water is the cheapest and most reliable way of making more of it available for future use.”
Sources:
https://weather.com/science/environment/news/california-cloud-seeding http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-california-tries-to-make-snow.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlX7rJv_m0g http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-86155840/
