Barrington Area Council of Governments
112 Algonquin Road
Barrington Hills, Illinois 60010
(847) 381-7871
(847) 381-7882 (Fax)
www.bacog.org
DROUGHT, WATER LEVELS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR COMMUNITY ACTION
Abnormally low precipitation this year and recent high temperatures have brought the state and the
BACOG area into drought conditions. The effects of a drought appear as lower lake, stream and
groundwater levels, straw-colored grass and landscape plants, and failing crops. The Barrington Area
Council of Governments (BACOG) urges homeowners and businesses to use caution and judgment in use
of water during the drought period and until waterways and groundwater aquifers recover.
Drought Conditions
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, northeastern Illinois is experiencing moderate drought
conditions, and some areas immediately north of Barrington were reclassified last week to severe
drought conditions.
According to the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), the state average rainfall for the month of June 2012
was 1.8 inches, which is 2.3 inches (43%) below normal. The period January-June 2012 was the 6th driest
on record for the state, with a statewide average precipitation of 12.6 inches. The drought of 1988, the
8th driest year since 1895, produced an average state rainfall of 12.0 inches for the same period in
comparison. The precipitation deficit in northern Illinois is currently 4-6 inches. The driest year in
Illinois occurred in 1901 when total annual precipitation was 26.3 inches, or 67% of normal.
Regarding current climate conditions in the state, the ISWS reports that temperatures in northeastern
Illinois currently are 7.2 degrees higher than normal at 80.4 degrees for the period July 1-July 13, 2012.
The year-to-date temperature in the northeast showed a deviation of 5.3 degrees higher than normal.
Stream and Groundwater Levels
In northern Illinois, most stream flows are now below normal. Lack of rainfall causes lack of
groundwater recharge to the shallow aquifers, resulting in less or no groundwater discharge to streams
and rivers; therefore, stream flows will almost certainly continue to fall over the next few months.
Data from the Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring Program shows decreases in groundwater
levels of 1 to 5 feet from May to June 2012 in their monitoring wells in northeastern Illinois in Lake and
McHenry Counties. Data from dedicated wells in McHenry County show declines in groundwater levels
of between 8 and 25 feet at July 1st, with sharp declines beginning in mid-May 2012. In the Algonquin
monitoring well, the water level drop since June 1st was approximately 50% greater in 2012 than 2011.
Although a decreasing water table in the summer months is typical, the atypical factor is the extremely
small amount of recharge from precipitation in winter and spring 2012.
While any amount of rainfall could lead to improvements in drought conditions, the outlook currently
indicates that conditions are getting worse. The Climate Prediction Center/NOAA prognosis is drought
conditions will persist or intensify for all of Illinois through September 30, 2012, and even with normal
precipitation in upcoming months, groundwater levels and surface flows will continue to decrease.
A Statement on Our Shared Groundwater Resource
It is important to note that nearly 100% of the private domestic wells as well as all the municipal wells
in the BACOG area are located in the shallow aquifer system, within a few hundred feet below ground
surface. These wells are drawing groundwater from the same water source. Shallow system
groundwater comes from pockets or strata of sand and gravel, or the shallow dolomite limestone at
the base of the system. Each well in the shallow system is connected hydraulically to other wells in
the region, and they are drawing from the same water source even though the wells are in different
locations. If you water your property inappropriately or use excessive amounts of water in times of
drought, you may contribute to your neighbor’s well going dry.
Community Action Recommendations for Drought
Water consumption increases during a drought, across all sectors: public water supply increases by 5%,
commercial and industrial supply increases by 5.5-5.6%, and irrigation and agricultural use increases by
50% (source: McHenry County Water Resources Division). The increased usage causes further reduction
of groundwater levels and sometimes stream levels as well if surface waters are used as an irrigation
source.
Community members can prepare for drought conditions in several ways.
1) Re-acquaint yourself with your well. People with wells in the shallow aquifer system are often
the first to see signs of a drought. Drought can reduce water levels so that well yield is reduced
or the water level may fall below the pump, so that suction is broken. Restoring the pump
function and well system may require hiring a well company and/or to drill a deeper well.
Well owners should know the depths of their wells and pay attention to water level trends
throughout the region. Well records typically accompany real estate paperwork; locate records
now instead of when there is a problem. Low water pressure, air in the water, or sediment in
the water are all clues that a well may be running dry.
Consult a well water specialist if any of these symptoms are noticed. Identify at least one well
driller/contractor with functioning contact information now to perform service in case it is
needed.
2) Consider following municipal watering guidelines. Governments that provide water to their
residents have the authority to regulate its use. Owners of private wells are not regulated by
their local governments as to use of water from their wells. All residents in the BACOG area are
drawing water from the same groundwater source, however, and if we wish to protect our
shared water supply we will use good judgment as to its use during times of drought.
Residents with private wells may consider following municipal watering guidelines. Remember,
all residents of the BACOG area, regardless of whether water supply is municipal or private,
have wells in the shallow aquifer system. Municipal watering ordinances are used to help
protect the aquifers and the wells. An example of a municipal ordinance program follows.
The Village of Barrington sets limits on water use and is currently in “yellow” phase, effective
June-September 15 for normal summer conditions. Sprinkler systems may be used from 5-10:00
AM and 5-10:00 PM every other day. Hand-held watering devices (hoses, watering cans, etc.)
may be used any day at any time of day for any plant or lawn watering, to clean outdoor areas,
and to fill pools. If Barrington declares a drought alert, AM and PM sprinkler watering will not
be allowed, hand watering of landscape plants and sod will be allowed only from 5-10 PM, and
cleaning of outdoor areas and filling of pools will be allowed. If there is a severe drought alert,
NO watering will be allowed. For guidelines and tips on water conservation, see
http://www.barrington-il.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=2745.
Also, use caution and good sense: don’t “mist” landscape plants which promote evaporation,
use soakers instead; don’t water at high noon when sun, heat and evaporation are highest;
don’t run sprinklers continuously but just long enough for plant needs; don’t water or wash
anything that doesn’t really need it!
3) Prioritize water use for landscaping. Consider not watering lawns at all and letting them go
dormant during a drought; they will “come back” next year or as soon as they receive water.
Alternately, watering only once a month provides just enough water to keep the grass dormant
but still preserving the roots and crown until growing conditions improve. Watering lawns every
7 to 10 days will let grass grow slowly throughout the summer. Watering every day may actually
cause weeds to grow and can promote weak, shallow-rooted grass.
Plants other than grass will require some watering to survive a drought. Established, permanent
plants like trees and shrubs should receive the most water (relatively) since they take a long
time to replace. Perennial flowers may be watered, but consider that they can be replaced next
year if they succumb to the drought. Plants like tomatoes and other garden vegetables can be
replaced inexpensively and so have the lowest priority when it comes to watering. Most plants
need just one inch of water per week, or on hotter days they may require two inches. Water
only the roots.
New plants require special consideration. Their roots have not developed and so they may
require nearly twice the amount of water to survive. For this reason, it is best to delay planting
new seeds, landscape plants and trees until the drought is over. Delay grass seeding and
sodding entirely until the fall.
4)
Practice conservation. Water conservation is an important practice, even when water seems
abundant. It is essential during a drought. Consider waiting an extra week or two to wash cars,
for instance, or turn off the water while soaping up in the shower. Turn off water while
brushing teeth and washing dishes in the sink. Take care of drips from faucets or running toilets
now instead of later. If it is time to replace water-using appliances, consider purchasing
products with an EPA WaterSense certification. Water saved today is water that can be used
later if the drought continues.
Sources:
http://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?IL,MW
http://mrcc.sws.uiuc.edu/state_climatologists/illinois/illinois.html
http://www.isws.illinois.edu/hilites/drought/strmflowmaps.asp
http://www.isws.illinois.edu/hilites/drought/archive/2012/docs/DroughtUpdate20120703.pdf
http://www.bacog.org/waterresourceinitiative/publications.html
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cook/downloads/9235.pdf
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us Division of Water Resources
http://www.epa.gov/watersense/
For further information, call the BACOG office at (847) 381-7871 or email bacog@bacog.org