BS: Atlanta drought

Subject: BS: Atlanta drought
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 09:53 PM

On TV i just watched a documentry on the drought in Georgia, and Atlanta in particular. When I Googled golf courses in Atlanta I got this map:
http://www.lastminutegolfer.com/atlanta/coursemap.asp

There seems to be no shortage of courses. It left me wondering if they use any irrigation?

Subject: RE: BS: Atlanta drought
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 09:57 PM

Some do, some don't. The ones that do often have privately owned wells as ours is (in SE Wyoming)

We also have (whaddayacallem?) 'natural' golf courses. Sage brush, gopher holes, real sand traps, etc....there is a name for these damn things. I can't remember it right now. Very few water traps tho!

Subject: RE: BS: Atlanta drought
From: Janie
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 11:44 PM

The southeast (at least my little corner of it, in the northeast Piedmont area of NC,)is in the midst of the worst drought on record (record keeping started in the late 1800's.) This is the first summer in the 20 years I have lived in the Piedmont area of NC with generally low humidity. Litigation because of scarce water resources is relatively rare in the Southeast, (I know it is common in the arid West and Southwest,) but state, county and/or local governments in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama are now litigating water rights. the governor of North Carolina has put a call for the people of the State to reduce water usage by 50%. The little town I live in has the plenty of water, but also has the highest water rates in the State. We complain about the rates, but not even the people in 'the big houses' have wasted water irrigating their gardens this year.

2/3's of my extensive flower gardens have died this summer, including some wonderful, old azaleas, dogwoods and boxwoods, because I decided early on not to irrigate. It has been heartbreaking to watch it happen. But I am also watching to see what manages to survive. Whatever is still living come spring, I'll plant more of.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Atlanta drought
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:24 AM

Janie, I hope you will be very pleased at the number of blooms that thrive under the new regimen and rightfully hopeful for the future of your garden. I must say that I *really* admire your walking-the-walk.

(((((((hug)))))))

Subject: RE: BS: Atlanta drought
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:05 AM

It's what I've done here for years. If it can survive summer on low water and the winter temps it lives. If not, it goes.

Ya gotta get tuff out here in the West. (still in the throes of a 10 year at least drought cycle)

And if I have to dig it up in the fall, forget it.

Subject: RE: BS: Atlanta drought
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:37 AM

Thanks for the information! Somehow though I suspect that most mudcatters are the type of people who would be the first to do their civic duty to conserve. I also realize that these conditions are not normal for that area, nor do I have anything against golf courses
except for those lush green ones in the desert states.
I just think that is a place where the water should be turned off first.

Subject: RE: BS: Atlanta drought
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:59 AM

Xeriscaping.

But you also need a "Firewise circle of defense" if there is any chance of wildfire getting to your place.

Subject: RE: BS: Atlanta drought
From: artbrooks
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:59 AM

People in Atlanta are not allowed to water outside; my sister's lawn is dead and turning into bare ground. The golf courses are permitted to water the greens, but nothing else.

Golf courses here (Albuquerque) are supposed to use gray water, and most do.