Is this drought a permanent thing? (Houston, Llano: house, university, taxes)

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by janejanejanejanejane

So...obviously no one has the correct answer, but is this part of some weather pattern that has no end in sight?

No one can tell you for sure, but my guess is that we should be acting as though the drought is a permanent thing. We should be planting native, low water yards and building our houses to conserve water because, although we may have some wetter years, dry weather will always be with us.

[tibbar]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

My understanding of this phenomenon is that the rush of returning water is temporary. If you go to any wooded landscape and remove the trees, the springs will be full of water. But if vegetation, including trees, is allowed to return, no matter what species, the flowing water will again decrease. This may take years, as trees often take years to grow, but it will go back to the way it was when it was fully wooded. So the thing about cedars sucking so much water, more than other trees, is largely a myth.

That makes sense, anything using the water is going to reduce the flow.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

. The answer to your question is yes and no.

Originally Posted by Debsi

I love a short, straightforward answer.

Well, it IS and election year after all!

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by janejanejanejanejane

So...obviously no one has the correct answer, but is this part of some weather pattern that has no end in sight?

la nina I believe is drier for us and el nino is wetter. We had back to back la nina years and are transitioning to el nino

<<La Nina's typical winter impacts: Drier-than-average from Arizona to Texas the Gulf Coast and Florida. Above-average precipitation in the Pacific Northwest and Ohio Valley.

El Nino's typical winter impacts: Above-average precipitation from Southern California to Texas and Florida. Drier-than-average in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. ??

[mickey65]

We have a good chance of rain all thru next week...but I'll believe it when I see it in my part of town...

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

No one can tell you for sure, but my guess is that we should be acting as though the drought is a permanent thing. We should be planting native, low water yards and building our houses to conserve water because, although we may have some wetter years, dry weather will always be with us.

Exactly. And now is as good a time as ever.

[die Eichkatze]

Droughts come and go, but it is a good thing to plan for the worst case scenario.
Statewide Palmer Drought Severity Index 1895-2012 (Jan-Dec avg):
50 out of 117 years with a negative index
Worst Year: 1956 (-6.31)
Best year: 1920 (5.70)
2011: -5.47
2012 avg so far: -3.92





Division 7 (I-35 counties and counties to the southeast):
53 out of 117 years with a negative index
Worst Year: 1956 (-5.71)
Best Year: 1992 (5.14)
2011: -3.83
2012 avg so far: -2.71



Division 6 (Hill Country and Edwards Plateau):
60 out of 117 years with a negative index
Worst Year: 1956 (-4.98)
Best Year: 1919 (5.58)
2011: -4.31
2012 avg so far: -2.24

[7ry1an3]

You can have some of Houstons rain. I just want one week of no rain so I can wash my car.

[ardamir]

Originally Posted by tibbar

Years ago in the Statesman I remember reading about 2 large acreage properties side by side. One cut down all the Cedar trees on his property and 12 springs came back. The Cedar trees were sucking up that much water.

There is a lot more to it than simply removing Ashe Juniper. Here is an excellent example:
Home « bambergerranch.org

Ironically, research has shown that older junipers consume less water than young ones.

[cBach]

Looks like this week has been a good drought buster...