More on the drought video

by Mindy Hiteshue — last modified Dec 19, 2007 05:00 PM
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Hey folks! I wanted to let you all know that we've updated the drought video so that it runs much more smoothly. Please check it out on the original page, or view it below. Let us know what your thoughts and reactions are!

Special thanks to: Bob Epting, Pilot; and Dave Zahn, Videographer.



Please make sure to turn up your sound before watching the video and press "play" to begin.

This video requires Windows Media 9 or greater to run in your browser (if you're using Internet Explorer, you may have to run "ActiveX" to view the video). If the video does not play in this page please click here to download. Windows Media Player updates can be downloaded from Microsoft.

This video is also available in a High Definition Quicktime format. To attempt streaming this footage in High Definition (720P) click here to view in QuickTime. Quicktime updates can be downloaded from Apple.

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Comments (3)

Anonymous User Dec 22, 2007 12:29 AM

Why haven't we heard anything about "digging the well deeper"! In other words, where these reservoirs are now drying up, why aren't we digging them deeper so that in the future more water would be available to help us over these dry periods. Thanks...

Mindy Hiteshue Dec 28, 2007 01:58 AM
Hmmmm...good question! As soon as I get back from the holidays, I'll ask around and see what I can "dig" up. :)
Grady Jan 10, 2008 03:52 PM

This is an interesting question. I think there are at least a couple reasons. First, digging out the bottom of a reservoir is a major, expensive project, and I suspect that it takes months or years of planning to do it right. Unless such a proposal is already in the works before the drought comes along, it would be hard for an agency to assemble the equipment, design the project, get all the required permits, and obtain state or federal funding for the project during the drought.

The other reason was pointed out to me just this week: when reservoirs are created by dams, the dams are designed to hold the pressure from the water behind them, plus a safety factor. Digging the reservoir deeper = more water behind the dam = more pressure. So it would be pretty important to study the dam carefully to make that it could stand up to the increased weight beyond its original design standards.

There may be other explanations. Anybody have ideas?

On the other hand, Fall Lake and Jordan Lake and other artificial lakes tend to silt up relatively quickly, losing their water storage capacity (though stronger enforcement of sediment and erosion laws upstream can help slow this problem). So, at some point, we will face the question of whether it is worth it to dredge to restore capacity. I think digging looks better as an option if you assume that growth in demand must or will continue indefinitely and we must protect or expand capacity to meet that demand. If you start from the framework that there’s a basic level of water available, and everything we do to increase that amount or stretch it imposes costs or requires trade offs, I suspect deepening reservoirs doesn’t stack up as well against other potential uses of the same taxpayer or consumer dollars (on such alternatives as buying water efficient appliances, replacing leaking pipes, and capturing runoff from roofs.

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