The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group
(CW-DMAG) today announced continued dry weather conditions and above-average
temperatures have placed the Catawba-Wateree River Basin in Stage 1 of the Low
Inflow Protocol (LIP).
Stage 1 is the second of five drought stages outlined
in the LIP and recommends voluntary water conservation by water users across
the Basin, in addition to operational adjustments by Duke Energy. The LIP is
the drought management plan major water users in the region employ to share
responsibility and set priorities to conserve the limited water supply during
drought conditions.
"While some areas of the Basin have received scattered
rainfall, the lack of widespread precipitation the past several weeks and high
temperatures have resulted in increased drought conditions,” said Ed Bruce, P.E.,
Duke Energy, CW-DMAG coordinator. “We are asking the community to conserve
water and energy as we enter the height of the summer season and the typically
drier fall period.”
Continued below normal rainfall and very hot
temperatures have pushed two of the three LIP drought indicators (triggers) into
Stage 1. Water storage in the 11-reservoir Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric
Project continues to decline and streamflows feeding the reservoirs are well below
normal. In addition, the U.S. Drought Monitor trigger indicates most of the
Basin is experiencing drought conditions.
Earlier this month, the Catawba-Wateree River Basin
entered Stage 0 of the LIP which is a drought watch stage and prompted the
CW-DMAG to closely monitor conditions. After
observing declining trends in the triggers, the group decided to proactively
declare Stage 1 conditions.
“We wanted to be proactive in making the community
aware of increased drought conditions and ask customers to be mindful of water
use,” explained Barry McKinnon, Mooresville Public Utilities Director. “The
sooner we start conserving, the better for our region as we work together to
preserve our shared water resources.”
The Golf Course Maintenance Department has implemented its Water Conservation Plan. At Stage 0 we reduced our water usage by 5%. As we have now entered Stage 1 we are reducing our irrigation by 15%. At this stage we will reduce our run times in the evening and eliminate 1 cycle of rough, 1 time per week.
Our Water Conservation Plan is as follows for future stages:
Stage 2: 25% Reduction in water usage. Eliminate a cycle per week on high priority areas (Fairways, tees and green surrounds), irrigate low priority areas (roughs) only one time per week. To comply with homeowner restrictions, the clubhouse lawns and grounds will only be watered 2x per week and ornamental plants as needed.
Stage 3: 35% Reduction in water usage. Reduce run times and water no more than 1x per week on high priority areas (tees, fairways, green surrounds). Whatever water is necessary to maintain greens will be reduced from the amount provided for fairways, tees, and green surrounds.
Stage 4: 85% Reduction in water usage. Watering only necessary zones (greens) for maintenance and survival is allowed.
As we begin to reduce our water usage to comply with the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group we will begin to expand our handwatering of dry areas. This will enable us to conserve water and put water where it is needed to maintain plant health and survival.
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| Handwatering dry spots allows us to put the water where it is needed and conserve water. |
(Some excerpts taken from July 20th Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Group News Release)
