I. Desert: an arid region. Where the potential evaporation rate exceeds the potential precipitation rate by at least 2X. •Arizona desert: precipitation rate = 6 - 10 inches/year evaporation rate = 100+ inches/year
II. Rain Patterns in AZ A . Winter Rains 1. When: Late November – Mid February 2. Origin: Pacific Ocean
II. Rain Patterns in AZ 3. Characteristics: Covers the state a. Non-violent b. Longer duration c. Better soil penetration (less d. flooding)
Summer Storms - Monsoon
II. Rain Patterns in AZ C. Summer Rains (Monsoons)
II. Rain Patterns in AZ C. Summer Rains (Monsoons) 1. When: Mid July – Mid September 2. Origin: Sea of Cortez – Gulf of Mexico
II. Rain Patterns in AZ C. Summer Rains (Monsoons) 3. Characteristics a. Not covering state - isolated cells
II. Rain Patterns in AZ 3. Characteristics b. Violent –Wind and lightning
II. Rain Patterns in AZ C. Summer Rains (Monsoons) 3. Characteristics c. Short and intense
II. Rain Patterns in AZ C. Summer Rains (Monsoons) 3. Characteristics d. Poor soil penetration: flooding
II. Rain Patterns in AZ C. Summer Rains (Monsoons) 3. Characteristics d. Poor soil penetration: flooding in 1930”s. Phoenix Gilbert: 1931
Summer Storms - Monsoon
II. Rain Patterns in AZ Significance of total rainfall. Baja – dry year Baja – wet year
III. Sources of Water A. Surface water: 1. Define: Runoff from rain and snowmelt. 2. Salt and Verde River watershed
III. Sources of Water 3. Central Arizona Project (C.A.P.) a. Water from the Colorado River brought to Phoenix & Tucson by the CAP canal. b. Originally, the CAP was planned to supply 30% of the water we use by 2010.
III. Sources of Water 3. Central Arizona Project (C.A.P.) • In 1968 congress authorized the 336 mile CAP. •Water was delivered to Phoenix in 1985 and Tucson in 1992. • 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water annually • Water is lifted as much as 2,900 feet by 14 pumping plants
III. Sources of Water B. Ground Water (aquifer) 1. Well water pumped from underground aquifers.
IV. Water Usage in the Salt River Valley A. Per capita residential water use (Gallons/person/day) 70 gallons 1. Indoor use: 2. Outdoor use: 130 gallons
IV. Water Usage in the Salt River Valley B. Agricultural water use 1. Cotton: 1569 gallons 2. Alfalfa: 158 gallons 3. Lettuce: 53 gallons
IV. Water Usage in the Salt River Valley C. 18 Hole golf course in July 1-2 Million Gallons per Day Phoenix area has over 200 golf courses.
V. Valley Water Loss Due to Evaporation B. Tempe Town Lake (1 acre foot = 325,851 gallons) 1. 1900 acre-feet/year 2. 1.7 million gallons/day
V. Valley Water Loss Due to Evaporation C. Salt River Project: 6 lakes & 1230 miles of canals. 1. 125,000 acre-feet/year 2. 111,592,808 gallons/day
VI. Water Treatment A. Water treatment plant 1. Sediment removal by flocculation: Add alum or lime to remove impurities. 2. Activated carbon: Removes taste and odor problems. 3. Sediment removal (again). 4. Chlorination: Kills bacteria and other microbes. 5. Filtration. Water Sediment Activated Sediment Chlorination Filtration Tanks Carbon Tanks
VII. Landscaping to conserve water – The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping A. Planning and designing: five concerns homeowners should consider when developing a landscape design.
VII. Landscaping to conserve water – The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping A. Planning and designing: BEFORE AFTER
VII. Landscaping to conserve water – The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping A. Five concerns to be considered: Energy conservation. 1. Low allergy producing. 2. Year round color. 3. Low water usage. 4. Functional. (i.e., poolscape) 5. • Reduces water bills Cuts fertilization costs • Reduces maintenance • • Minimizes green waste going to landfills Attracts native wildlife • (hummingbirds, butterflies, etc.) • ·Brings many colors, textures, and interest to your yard Increases your home value •
VII. Landscaping to conserve water– The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping B. Limit turf areas. Grass/turf = 6¢ – 8¢ /sq. ft./year 1. Xeriscape = 1¢ – 2¢ /sq. ft./year 2. Ground covers use 30-40% less water than grass. 3.
VII. Landscaping to conserve water– The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping C. Efficient irrigation. Large basins around trees and shrubs. Expand well to drip 1. line as plant grows. Water plants deep for long intervals, but infrequently. 2.
VII. Landscaping to conserve water– The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping D. Soil Improvements Fertilizer (organic matter is best). 1. Soil sulfur. 2. Gypsum. 3. Soil sulfur.
VII. Landscaping to conserve water– The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping E. Mulches – mulches reduce water loss due to evaporation & salt build up. Decomposed granite rock in desertscapes. 1. Straw or compost in vegetable gardens. 2. Wood bark chips in tree wells & entry ways. 3.
VII. Landscaping to conserve water– The Fundamentals of Xeriscaping F. Appropriate maintenance. Proper planting. 1. Dig a hole wider and deeper than the root ball. Check for proper drainage. (drain 4” or more in 4 hours) If there is a drainage problem. Add drainage chimney at bottom (filled with gravel). Backfill with native soil.
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ •Riparian refers to habitats surrounding or near bodies of water. •Such as: rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and springs.
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ Riparian communities are found at various elevations. 1000 ft.- 4000 ft. Cottonwood, mesquite, 5000 ft. – 8000 ft. elevation sycamore, willow. Big tooth maple, Gambel oak, chokecherry, and narrow leaf cottonwood.
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ Wildlife Associations •Up to 60% of the residential Arizona wildlife depends on riparian habitat. Eleodes Gambel’s Quail Kangaroo Rat Oriole Gopher Snake
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ •Riparian Corridor: •a “highway” of riparian habitat that serves to disperse water dependent wildlife, such as beaver, into less crowded areas to live.
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ •More than 90% of the state’s riparian areas have been dammed, developed, or dried up. San Pedro River
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ Cattle grazing destroys riparian areas.
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ Cattle have had a disastrous effect on trout streams. Apache Trout •Strips banks of vegetation •Collapse overhanging banks. •Stirs up mud. •Widens the streams. •Streams in grazed areas produce 1/10 as many trout. East fork of the Black River
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ Factors contributing to riparian habitat loss: 1. Overuse of water. 2. Flooding due to dam activities. 3. Too many cattle. 4. Overuse by humans.
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ A. Santa Cruz River
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ A. Santa Cruz River
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ B. San Pedro River: Last Living River of the Southwest San Pedro River
IX. Riparian Habitat of AZ •San Pedro River video
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