Blog

Feb 07, 2024

A late 1980s water lesson

Aug. 29, 2023 6:47 am An unprecedented and little known event happened on July 17, 1989 that is relevant this year. Indian Creek stopped flowing. The 1988 summer was exceptionally hot. Little rain

Aug. 29, 2023 6:47 am

An unprecedented and little known event happened on July 17, 1989 that is relevant this year. Indian Creek stopped flowing.

The 1988 summer was exceptionally hot. Little rain fell and a dry winter followed. It was a tad cooler in 1989 but still dry. Indian Creek’s water level gradually dwindled until, on that July day, it completely stopped flowing. As far as I can determine this has never happened before or since.

During those dry years the Cedar Rapids Water Division struggled to provide drinking water to its customers. Urgent pleas asked citizens, businesses, and industry to reduce water consumption.

This year’s weather brings back memories of the late 1980s drought and drastic water conservation measures needed to keep toilets flushing and faucets flowing. However, there is a difference. In 2023 Cedar Rapids did not appeal to people to curtail water use.

Thanks to wise planning and appropriate construction of new water plants, wells, and distribution systems the City has been able to quietly meet water demand. It speaks well of wise government management. Thanks go to the City Council and staff.

Years Marion and I spent in arid Idaho helped us realize how precious clean water is. No matter how much rain tumbles down we respect and appreciate its life-giving qualities and refuse to waste a drop.

Here’s what we’ve done to enable us to use precious water efficiently:

Installed water efficient faucet and shower heads and toilets.

Transitioned most of our lawn to native vegetation which never needs irrigation.

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Wash our dishes in a basin in the sink and use it to irrigate outdoor plants.

Mulch our vegetable garden heavily and water it sparingly in the evening.

Installed rain barrels under our gutter downspouts. Even a light shower yields about 200 gallons of water used days later to make our vegetable plants thrive.

Although we take pride in using water efficiently there is another benefit. We enjoy a tiny water bill.

Rich and Marion Patterson are co owners of Winding Pathways LLC, a Cedar Rapids based company that encourages people to create and enjoy wondrous yards. www.windingpathways.com

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