Irrigation water flowing into Buck Gully is a waste of fresh water and erodes hillsides and trails.
When you see water flowing from someone’s landscaping and down the rain gutter, it’s a sign that too much water is being used. While certainly wasteful, this excess irrigation water may seem pretty harmless to the surrounding environment. You might even suspect that neighboring wildlands benefit when runoff flows into them. More water for thirsty plants and animals, right? However, the damage it does to nearby canyons becomes clear when you hit the trails.
When you see water flowing from someone’s landscaping and down the rain gutter, it’s a sign that too much water is being used. While certainly wasteful, this excess irrigation water may seem pretty harmless to the surrounding environment. You might even suspect that neighboring wildlands benefit when runoff flows into them. More water for thirsty plants and animals, right? However, the damage it does to nearby canyons becomes clear when you hit the trails.
California is in a record drought, which has prompted the state to pass emergency regulations that govern outdoor water use. In addition, cities like Newport Beach already have put conservation measures in place to minimize the waste of fresh water. However, runoff still flows in many areas, such as Upper Buck Gully Reserve. It may be that nearby residents don’t realize they are overwatering, since runoff is often funneled into the gully through underground channels (out of site out of mind). By concentrating the flow through channels, it eventually hits the hillside with force. The volume and speed of runoff is often so great that little soaks into the soil where vegetation can make good use of it. Instead it streams over surfaces, eroding hillsides, polluting streams, and damaging the public hiking and biking trails.
The Buck Gully trail system was improved and re-introduced in 2012. The City of Newport Beach worked with Irvine Ranch Conservancy to improve the trail system and they continue to maintain the trails. The most common maintenance issue is repairing damaged trails that result from irrigation runoff from landscapes.
When the trail is muddy, normal trail use creates holes and ruts where people walk and bike. When the trail dries, these ruts harden, creating rough spots along the trail. Future trail users avoid these spots, which sometimes means walking slightly off-trail and widening the path, damaging habitat in the process.
The Buck Gully trail system was improved and re-introduced in 2012. The City of Newport Beach worked with Irvine Ranch Conservancy to improve the trail system and they continue to maintain the trails. The most common maintenance issue is repairing damaged trails that result from irrigation runoff from landscapes.
When the trail is muddy, normal trail use creates holes and ruts where people walk and bike. When the trail dries, these ruts harden, creating rough spots along the trail. Future trail users avoid these spots, which sometimes means walking slightly off-trail and widening the path, damaging habitat in the process.
While seeing water year round in Buck Gully may seem natural, it really is a sign of wasted water. Fortunately, the City of Newport Beach offers many water conservation tips and helpful information at WaterSmartNewport.org. This site provides answers to frequently-asked questions such as how to check your irrigation system, when to water, and how to apply for water-wise rebates.
The City of Newport Beach continues to educate its residents and nearby cities by hosting a free workshop for residents interested in learning more about water-wise landscaping. Learn how to select plants that are drought-friendly, manage your irrigation system, and save money by using water more efficiently. To participate in this free workshop, email ConservationInfo@newportbeachca.gov or call (949) 644-3195 to reserve your seat. RSVP required.
The next landscape workshop will be at the Newport Beach Civic Center at 100 Civic Center Dr. in the Community Room on April 23rd, 2015 from 6-9 pm. Light refreshments will be served.
The City of Newport Beach continues to educate its residents and nearby cities by hosting a free workshop for residents interested in learning more about water-wise landscaping. Learn how to select plants that are drought-friendly, manage your irrigation system, and save money by using water more efficiently. To participate in this free workshop, email ConservationInfo@newportbeachca.gov or call (949) 644-3195 to reserve your seat. RSVP required.
The next landscape workshop will be at the Newport Beach Civic Center at 100 Civic Center Dr. in the Community Room on April 23rd, 2015 from 6-9 pm. Light refreshments will be served.
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