The Drop in Rainfall Affects Everyone & could mean Florida Drought
Are we heading for a Florida drought? South Florida has experienced a massive drop in rainfall this year, and there is not much to look forward to. The lack of rain has seen an increase in grass overrun rivers and wildfires in the region.
Although the rainy season should be solidly upon us, the deficit has left the rivers dry or exceptionally low. It has left the district in one of the driest since 1932.
The low rainfall over the dry season will impact the rest of the year in irrigation, sprinkler times, and soil management for homeowners.
The expected downpours can have adverse effects if the soil is too hard to absorb the rain.
An increase in blue-green algae
The Loxahatchee River relies on water from Grassy Waters Preserve during the dry months. This year, the council stopped the water flow due to concerns over the blue-green algae. Reserve Eastern Well fields were tapped to ensure the homes and businesses still received water. The river needs a constant fresh water supply to dilute the continuous salt water flow from the Jupiter inlet. If the river does not get enough freshwater, the brackish ecosystem is damaged by the excess salt water.
The Director of public utilities, Poonam Kalkat, evaluates whether the water in the canal from Lake Okeechobee is good enough to feed Grassy Waters. If so, then that can resupply the river.
The impact of low rains or a Florida drought on our wildlife
Not only do the rivers suffer, but the wildlife that relies on the grassy wetlands also get affected. The fish land up in shallow waters, opening them up as easy prey for the wading birds.
The lakes and estuaries could get flooded with overflow water from the dams, often contaminated with algae. The rivers will, in turn, suffer as a result.
The increase in wildfires is a concern, with lightning strikes being a significant contributor. We can only hope for decent rains before the thunderstorms bring the lightning.
What to do at home
There are no formal water restrictions at the moment since we are not yet in a Florida drought, but over-watering your garden is also not encouraged. Before the rains come, it is advised to set timers for a short while longer, but only water after dark or before sunrise, to avoid excess evaporation and water wastage.
The constant watering will increase the soil’s chance of absorbing the nutrients and water, so when the rains start, they will have the best opportunity to soak up the water and not just be a runoff of the rainwater.
Ideally, using groundcovers to keep the moisture close to the soil, like woodchips, can reduce water consumption and keep your garden moist for longer.
Everyone can play their part in preserving our precious water supply and laying out the garden to be as water-efficient as possible to account for these drought-torn seasons.
If you need any assistance with your irrigation in Florida drought preparation, don’t hesitate to give Lucky Landscaping a call.
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Only our trusted crews will be working on your property. All of our employees have background checks done, so you can rest assured that our crews are safe to be on your property. We hold our employees accountable and train them in customer service and best lawn care and landscaping practices, so you will only have responsible and conscientious workers taking care of your South Florida HOA Landscaping.
Do not hesitate to call Lucky Landscaping at 561-779-4127 and we will gladly make an appointment to discuss your irrigation needs in a Florida drounght.