120 replies to this topic

[ducky]

nearly every water supply in the world is gravity-fed. to pump water over distance with even a foot or two or elevation change would be cost-prohibitive. for south of 50 to get water from the Sacramento River, it would have to be pumped out of the Sacramento River in Sacramento and then piped 22 miles west and uphill.

I think the discussion is to buy some of their water rights that go into the Sacramento River, but come out of the American River (which means Folsom Lake). Could someone clarify this? the map at the link shows sources to the west of us and at lower elevations.

That's what I was seeing, too. I tried to click on the "pipelines" and distribution portion to see where they are but it wouldn't work.

[petro]

pretty standard procedure, Reclamation and the state of CA work with the water users and work through the "water Bank" to arrange sale or transfer of water throught the state.

[Robert Gary]

1) They have a temp adjustment.
2) If you have kids, make sure you teach them about this since they are used to faucets not being hot when they are first turned on. They can burn themselves if they are not careful.
3) As an adult, you should be able to use it without burning yourself. If not, I suggest not doing other things, like driving, walking and chewing gum, reproducing, etc.

To be honest I don't do much in the kitchen. I personally avoid using the instant hot water thing though because it is so damn hot. The temp from your normal hot water sink is around 120 degrees. The temp coming out of the instant hot water thing is just over 200 degrees. Its great for tea or coco but you certainly cannot use it to wash your hands, etc. I'd have to ask the boys if they use it or not, they tend to drink cold drinks though so I supect they do not.
Thinking about it, I do find it helpful in cleaning my muzzleloading rifle. I take a soup can and put the super hot "instant hot" water in the can with some disk soap and draw the hot water up and down the barrel to clean out the powder (which is very corrosive if left in for even a day or two).

BTW: The Department of Energy recommends 120F for household hot water and considers 140F to be dangerous. I don't think you can turn down the "instant hot water" thingy much below 190F. Again, I think its more for tea and hot chololate...

http://apps1.eere.en...m/mytopic=13090



-Robert

[Bill Z]

I was looking at my lawn this weekend, and while I do hope for some rain to start falling, I'm beginning to think if we go to stage 4 water restrictions , I might just let my lawn completely die and use deep watering techniques to make sure the trees don't die. my grass is looking bad enough, it may be time to just start over with new sod once we are out of this drought.

[Robert Gary]

You might want to check the current prices on sod before you make that decision.

-Robert

I was looking at my lawn this weekend, and while I do hope for some rain to start falling, I'm beginning to think if we go to stage 4 water restrictions , I might just let my lawn completely die and use deep watering techniques to make sure the trees don't die. my grass is looking bad enough, it may be time to just start over with new sod once we are out of this drought.

[Bill Z]

You might want to check the current prices on sod before you make that decision.

-Robert

I should have elaborated, if & when the time comes, I will evaluate whether I want sod (instant lawn) or go with seeding and wait for new lawn to grow saving lots of money. I also would look at maybe reducing the main front yard and taking the side by the driveway and going with shade tolerant plants that don't need much water.

[Robert Gary]

I should have elaborated, if & when the time comes, I will evaluate whether I want sod (instant lawn) or go with seeding and wait for new lawn to grow saving lots of money. I also would look at maybe reducing the main front yard and taking the side by the driveway and going with shade tolerant plants that don't need much water.

I've had to reseed lawns a lot in the last couple of years (rental properties, new properties ,etc). There is some magic stuff you can buy at Lowes. Its a purple bag of dirt called "Starter soil". You pour some of that down, spread some seed down and pour another light coat of the soil down and within 2 weeks you have awesome grass. I have no green thumb at all but this stuff has worked every time.

-Robert

[Bill Z]

I've had to reseed lawns a lot in the last couple of years (rental properties, new properties ,etc). There is some magic stuff you can buy at Lowes. Its a purple bag of dirt called "Starter soil". You pour some of that down, spread some seed down and pour another light coat of the soil down and within 2 weeks you have awesome grass. I have no green thumb at all but this stuff has worked every time.

-Robert

Thanks for the tip.

[camay2327]

The latest:

Please NOTE:

“There will be no irrigation (lawn watering) on Monday, Thursday or Friday,” he said. “This with an address that ends in an even number will water on Wednesday and Sunday. Address that end with an odd number will water on Tuesday and Saturday.”


http://folsomtelegra...h...n_id=&page=

2/10/2009
Parched lake thirsts for rain
By Don Chaddock, The Telegraph



Years could pass before drought-parched Folsom Lake is replenished.

Experts say the lack of rainfall in the foothills and snowfall in the Sierra means the lake’s level could remain low for longer than previously thought.

“It’s going to take quite a bit above normal amounts of rain to fill that reservoir,” said meteorologist Eric Kurtch with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. “We’re well below average and have been for the past two years. It will probably take several wet years to fill it up.”

It’s just that concern that has kicked the city of Folsom into overdrive, seeking to tighten water restrictions as the lake continues to dry up with little hope of rapid recovery.

Mayor Steve Miklos is asking for patience and cooperation from residents.

“As we can see, Folsom Lake is at a record level low, currently at less than 25 percent capacity,” said Miklos. “The Sierra snow pack at this point will not be enough to replenish the reservoirs in this area, including Folsom.”

City Councilman Andy Morin said one really good month of precipitation could help the water supply.

“That’s the crazy thing about the fickle nature of weather,” Morin said. “It could take years or it could take one month. It depends on the weather patterns.”

He said the only real difference between a stage two and three is irrigation.

“We try and squeeze a little more water supply out of the existing base of water users,” Morin said. “We try to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

Residents will be able to water their yards only twice each week rather than the three days they are accustomed to under the current conservation level.

When asked about leaks in the water supply system, Miklos said the city is aware of the problem and trying to correct it.

“Any city … can lose up to 25 percent of its water through infrastructure (leaks),” Miklos said. “We’re looking to receive grants (for repairs).”

Morin said the leaks aren’t just in the infrastructure, but are also from more normal sources.

“There’s certainly some aging infrastructure. Down in the historic district, we’re replacing sewer lines and water lines,” he said. “It’s not really (just external) leaks. You can have a lot of internal leaks such as running toilets and dripping faucets. (Soon) we’ll be on water meters and it will make us all more conscientious regarding personal water use.”

If precipitation doesn’t improve, Morin expects the city would need to consider raising its water alert level. There are five conservation alert levels and the city is currently at level two, but will go to level three by the end of February.

“I would consider high (the possibility of raising the alert level even higher) if we continue dry,” Morin said. “The water allotments out of Folsom Lake (would be) severely cut back. The city of Folsom, like a lot of areas, would be affected.”

As of Feb. 3, the lake sat at 377 feet when measured against the dam, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

City Manager Kerry Miller said stage three was going to mean more restrictions on residents.

“I’m not sure if you know what a stage three is,” Miller said. “Our water situation is drastic.”

Newly elected City Councilman Ernie Sheldon said he’s shocked by how low the lake has dropped.

“I’ve been here 23 years and I’ve never seen it this low,” Sheldon said. “I told Kerry Miller we’re probably all going to lose our yards this year (during the summer).”

Some water restrictions include using an even/odd watering system, according to Don Smith of the city’s Water Department.

“There will be no irrigation (lawn watering) on Monday, Thursday or Friday,” he said. “This with an address that ends in an even number will water on Wednesday and Sunday. Address that end with an odd number will water on Tuesday and Saturday.”

He said most of the conservation is common sense.

“You know, no free-flowing hoses (should be used) and there will be no emptying and refilling of ponds or pools without the city’s permission,” he said.

What does it mean?

According to the USBR, the elevation of the lake when measured against the dam relfects "above mean sea level." The crest of the dam is at 480.5 feet and the lake currently sits at 378 feet. The dam's bottom low level outlets are at 205.5 feet, meaning the lake, when full, is roughly 280 feet, according to the USBR.

To see all the water restrictions, visit the city of Folsom’s Web site at www.folsom.ca.us or visit www.folsomtelegraph.com.

[ducky]

As I'm writing this it is pouring rain outside. Let's hope that and the snow keeps up so we don't have to find out what a Stage 4 & 5 are.

[4thgenFolsomite]

As I'm writing this it is pouring rain outside. Let's hope that and the snow keeps up so we don't have to find out what a Stage 4 & 5 are.

Stage 5: Remember when the governor of Georgia led the state assembly in a pray for rain session? That.


on the optimistic side, the weather woman on Channel 10 last night said she's thinking maybe we're going to have a miracle month. I'm hoping she's right. perhaps that high that had been parked over and west of us has moved enough that the low is going to take its place and suck all that wet goodness down from Oregon and Washington to us!!! Pray for Jet Stream!!!

[john]

RAIN RAIN RAIN
Keep coming, I am loving this.

We need one of those nasty storms that takes out trees, power lines, flash flooding, the whole nine. Nothing I love better than a good storm.

[supermom]

The sprinklers in my complex were going last night---while it was raining!!

[john]

Well, the last time I tried my emoticon rain dance, we got about an inch of rain. I think I need to turn it up a notch.

hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya hey ya high ya how ya hoe ya

I think it's working!!!

[leapin26]

Stage 5: Remember when the governor of Georgia led the state assembly in a pray for rain session? That.


on the optimistic side, the weather woman on Channel 10 last night said she's thinking maybe we're going to have a miracle month. I'm hoping she's right. perhaps that high that had been parked over and west of us has moved enough that the low is going to take its place and suck all that wet goodness down from Oregon and Washington to us!!! Pray for Jet Stream!!!

Praying works. We have been praying in our church for rain. I hope other churches have been praying as well.

Anyway, there is a lot of rain in the long range forecast through next week. I think that by the end of February we will be back to our average snow levels in the mountains. There is no need to panic yet.

The key is going to be what happens in March/April. Last year, we were ok at the end of February, but got very little precip in Mar/Apr. Hopefully, this year will be different.