May 8, 2008

Partial drought relief from April rains will not be enough

RICHMOND—Ground water levels in the state have ebbed and flowed with precipitation, but drought conditions likely will continue.

Well water levels in the Valley area are low, even though ground water in many areas of the state is above normal, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Virginia Water Science Center.

Unexpected amounts of rainfall on April 20 and 21 managed to temporarily improve drought conditions across the state by reducing accumulated precipitation deficits.

Unfortunately, the rainfall was too little, too late.

“The last big rain that came in is about the only thing that’s saved us,” said David Nelms, ground water specialist for the USGS water center. “But once the leaves are back on the trees, there’s competition for the water.”

Water levels are seasonally influenced, and Virginia is now past the critical period for reducing the moisture deficit in ground water that resulted from drought conditions last fall and winter, Nelms explained. Because there was below-average rainfall and little snow, the moisture deficit from last summer’s drought continued.

“Up until recently, every locality was pretty low,” Nelms said. Spring is the time to make up for that deficit, but the April rain wasn’t enough to make that difference.

“We’re entering a period where ground water levels will start to decline,” Nelms said. “The plants and crops are using the ground water that’s there now.”

John Zirkle, a Shenandoah County farmer who raises beef cattle and turkeys, said his animals rely on water from surface ponds. “The ponds are usually full this time of year, but they’re low right now.”

In order to keep the ground water level up, Nelms said, “we need normal to above-normal rainfall the rest of this spring and into summer.”

Farmers and rural landowners who use wells are urged to keep an eye on the amount of precipitation this spring and summer.

“Be water wise,” Nelms warned. “If you’re watering your yard or irrigating crops, be mindful that levels will start to decline.”

Zirkle doesn’t irrigate his hay, corn and soybeans; he relies on surface and ground water to help them grow. Right now, both the lack of ground water and cooler temperatures have prevented his hay from growing at a normal rate.

“Going into the spring, we’re not in any better shape than last year,” he said. “If we don’t get significant rainfall soon, then we have to look forward to hurricane season and that’s not good.”

Contact Nelms at 804-261-2630 or Zirkle at 540-740-3292.