Essential Dry Season Water Storage

August 22, 2007


You can help keep the rivers flowing in the dry season, aiding salmon, gardens, and our economy, by storing enough water during the rainy season for the dry months ahead.

August, September, and October are the most critical months, regional rivers are at their lowest, and every gallon diverted or pumped out of the river has an impact. When little or no rain comes until mid-November, the early part of November is critical too. Each household should prepare to store (at minimum) a 3-1/2 month supply of water.

Calculating Your Water Needs For 3-1/2 Months for a Two-person Household:

Household Use: 50 gal/person/day = 1,500/month
(2 people = 3,000/month, 3 people = 4,500/month)
Garden Use: 8 garden beds (each 4'x25') = 10,000 gal (= 8 x 1,250 gal/season)
Fire Fighting Supply: 20 gpm (or 1,200 gal/hr) x 2 hr = 2,400 gal
Total Water Needed for Dry Season: 22,900 gallons

Brought to you as part of the Mattole River and Range Partnership, funded by State Coastal Conservancy.

Reprinted from the Mattole Restoration Council, www.mattole.org


This article can be found online at www.treesfoundation.org/publications/article-284

Forest & River News is produced by Trees Foundation.