UAWCD - Conservation

Want to learn more about how you can save water? Try some of these water saving tips and be sure to see our list of suggested native vegetation available in our region.

Also, check out the xeriscaping page from the SEWCD for water-conserving landscaping ideas.

Water Saving Tips:

Install water saving shower heads &
low flush mechanisms on toilets
Chill drinking water in the refrigerator
instead of running the tap
Use a compost pile instead of a garbage disposal
Water lawns during the cooler times of the day
Fix water leaks promptly
Plant native vegetation

Native Vegetation :

Water usage is measured two ways - how much water a crop will consume, and how much total water is required to put on that crop. The total water figure is higher because it deals with water flowing back into the water table, water that evaporates into the air, and water consumed by the crop.

How much water does it take? Use the following chart to estimate the amount of water required to grow each of the following crops.

First, pick out the closest measuring station to your home. Then, enter the square footage or acreage you want to plant in the appropriate space. The amount of water consumed by the crop will be displayed.

Water Usage Table

Type of Vegetation	Area (Sq. Ft)	Area (Acres)	Cons. Acre-Ft	Cons. Inch/Yr/Acre	Consumptive Gallon per Year
Blue Grass
Alfalfa
Pasture Grass/Turf
Potatoes
Vegetables (small)
Orchard (no grass)
TOTAL

To calculate the total amount of water required, select the type of irrigation from the drop-down box. Notice that sprinkler-type watering requires much less water than row (flood) irrigation-type. This is due in large part to the water soaking into the ground before the crop can use it in Row Irrigation.

If using Row irrigation type watering, pick from the following drop-down the closest to your type of soil:

My soil is

This is the estimate for the total amount of water in gallons needed to water your crop for a year:

gallons per year.

Growing seasons vary by location and altitude The growing season of the crops listed is from the US Soil Conservation Services' Technical Report 21 and is the period, in days, indicated between the "Start Growth Date" and the "End Growth Date".

For the area of:

Crop Growing Season Number of Days

Blue Grass

Alfalfa

Pasture Grass/Turf

Potatoes

Small Vegetables

Orchard w/o Cover

* indicates that there is not enough growing season to grow this crop.

NOTE: These figures, as noted, are taken from the US Soil Cnoservation Services' TR21 and have not been verified with local farmers.

These figures are based on TR 21 of the US Soil Conservation Service and are determined in that program based on the climatological conditions at specific weather stations. All figures are based on "Net Irrigation Requirements" in inches and a 50% chance of a Normal year.