While recent rainy Southern California weather patterns have put the worry of a drought out of many people ’ s minds , the truth is that another drought season is just around the corner . Coastal Orange County is lucky in that it sits next to the ocean , but that doesn ’ t save plants , vegetation and landscapes from the usual lack of fresh water , which is where a droughtresistant landscape plan comes into play .
Right : Chinese wisteria is drought tolerant . Left : The waterwise demonstration garden outside of the Laguna Beach County Water District office downtown offers examples of sustainable options that require little water .
LEFT : CHRISTOPHER REGAN ; RIGHT : RUBEN FLORES
“ People should conserve water because water is an important part of everyone ’ s life . Droughts in California are not a new phenomenon ,” says Jose Gallardo , a water use efficiency specialist at Laguna Beach County Water District . “ In fact , droughts are increasing in intensity and length . By conserving water now , we are better suited to get through the current and future droughts .”
Gallardo notes that late summer rains helped reservoir levels throughout the state to rebound and the Sierra Nevada snowpack continues to break records . “ But , while storms have eased dry conditions ,” he says , “ drought is likely to return . California has a history of deluge and drought . In addition , California ’ s groundwater levels have fallen dramatically during the state ’ s droughts and have been depleted by decades of heavy pumping . The Colorado River , a main source of water for Southern California , is in a twodecades-long drought , which has caused its massive reservoirs , Lake Mead and Lake Powell , to plummet . The recent rains , while welcome , are not enough to alleviate that state ’ s water problems entirely . It will take multiple years to fully recover .”
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