October is for pumpkins and a new water year

 October is time for pumpkins and time to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. So far this has been the sunniest, cheeriest fall in recent memory. October is also the beginning of a new year - the water year.

Sunny weather is generally good news for folks. Since Kitsap depends on rainfall to replenish our aquifers, a freaky dry stretch gives water suppliers reason to be nervous. The last decent measurable rain was July 22 at .47 inches. Since then we  have had only a smattering of sprinkles. Check out the rain data on our web page to see for yourself.

What does this mean in terms of the 2012 water year that just ended? We are, amazingly, in good shape. This is due to an average rain year up until July -over 40 inches of rain before the dry spell. We also had a couple of great water years in 2011 and 2010 where we received 50 and 52 inches respectively. Aquifer levels are holding their own!

What will the new water year bring? Cliff Mass, UW meteorologist,says the high pressure ridge holding back the rain is leaving us on Friday resulting in some wet weather.  He also says that this is an El Nino year which usually translates to a dryer, warmer winter. He hedges his bets by also saying that it may be a "wimpy" El Nino that could bring snow and rain in late winter. The people watching precipitation rates in our office aren't predicting a thing, but, since our precipitation rates correlate with our aquifer levels, you can bet KPUD will be watching the upcoming water year carefully. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, go out in the sun this week and look for some pumpkins.