Lawn Watering

How do I know how much to water?

     The lawn often takes up the largest square footage in the landscape because it is the easiest and least expensive ground cover to install.  It is estimated that there are 20 million acres of lawn in the United States.  Unfortunately, turf is the most expensive ground cover to maintain and requires more water than any other part of the landscape.

       The Laramie County Conservation District (LCCD) has recognized the need to provide homeowners with information on sound water conservation practices. 

      One focus of this program is the over watering of lawns, which not only wastes water, but can also cause nonpoint source water pollution  problems.  Nonpoint source pollution simply means that the sources of pollution are difficult to pinpoint.  For example, over watering lawns can cause pesticides, fertilizers, and sediments to be carried off lawns to nearby water sources, affecting the quality of water for us all.

       To help address this problem, LCCD provides rain gauges to homeowners to monitor the amount of water that is applied to lawns.  Simply push the rain gauge into the lawn about half the distance between the sprinkler head and to the edge of the wetted perimeter.  Use the scale on the side of the gauge to track the amount of water that is put on the lawn.

      The best way to water turf efficiently is to determine how much water your sprinkler emits in one hour.  For example, if your sprinkler delivers two inches of water per hour, and your lawn needs one inch per week, you need to run your sprinkler for 30 minutes per week.

What are the water requirements of my lawn?

     The amount of water needed depends on the type of lawn you have.  In the next column is a table of four water conserving species of turf grasses that the district recommends and their water requirements.  (Remember to subtract any rainfall from these amounts).

Water requirements during hot, dry spells:

Blue Grama: 1/2 to 3/4 inch every two weeks

Buffalograss:  1/2 to 3/4 inch every two weeks

Crested Wheatgrass:  3/4 inch every week

Turf Type Tall Fescue:  3/4 inch every week

*All grass varieties require less water  during cooler parts of the season.

Outdoor watering tips:

•    Water late in the evening or early in the morning for the greatest benefit to

      the lawn.

•    Aerate once a year to help water penetrate into the clay soils typical to our

      area.  Aeration is better achieved in the spring by using a coring spike

      mechanical aerator.

•    Use a kitchen timer as a reminder to turn sprinklers off, or purchase an

      automatic shutoff timer.

•    Train your plants to develop deep roots by less frequent yet thorough

      watering.  Deeper roots will enable plants to utilize moisture deep in the

      ground.

•    Avoid watering on windy days.

•    Adjust sprinklers to water lawn and plants evenly.  Avoid the sidewalk,

     driveway, patio and street. Remember, if it doesn’t grow, don’t water it!

•     If water is flowing off the grass and into the gutter, split the watering time

      into two periods to allow the soil to absorb the water.

•    Keep lawn free of weeds.  Weeds are water thieves and will rob your

      plants of water and nutrients.  Spot spray or hand dig weeds as they

      appear.

Water News

Click the link to review the 2008 Water Quality Report for the Upper Crow Creek Watershed.

Click the link to review the 2008 Water Quality Report for the Cheyenne Area of the Crow Creek Watershed.

Aquifer Study in Progress - The Laramie County Commissioners are sponsoring a study of Laramie County's aquifers through the Wyoming Water Development Office.  Read more...
       

 We are a taxpayer supported agency that provides information and help to residents of  Laramie County, Wyoming in maintaining and improving soil and water resources, wildlife  habitat, agricultural production and more. Here are some of the services we provide:

• Classroom Education
  We teach students in our local schools about caring for our natural resources, including our ecosystem, and the trees, wildlife, rangeland, groundwater, and surface water.  We are also available to help with outdoor education programs.

• Contests and Fun
  We judge local science fairs and hold an annual Natural Resources Poster Contest for local students. We hold a Conservation Leadership Camp, and send students to Wyoming Resource Education Days during the summer.

• Our Publications
  We publish our Report on Progress and Conservation Corner with important information about conservation for Laramie County residents.

• Living Snow Fence
  There are now 223 Living Snow Fence locations in Laramie County, and we are working on additional sites.

• Range Program
  We help land owners with grazing and land management, landscaping, seeding, and more.

• Seedling Trees & Tree Planting
  We provide seedling trees to Laramie County residents at low cost. We'll help you set up a windbreak or living snow fence, and show you how to improve the survivability and growth of your trees.

• Planning
  We provide technical review of all proposed subdivisions in Laramie County.

• Irrigation and Water Use
  We help local irrigators and homeowners conserve water and use efficient irrigation techniques, saving them money and conserving our valuable resources.

• Wildlife Habitat
  We help Laramie County landowners and homeowners establish and maintain wildlife habitat, in both rural and urban settings.

• Crow Creek Watershed
  We offer valuable information about the current efforts to enhance the completed plan developed for the Crow Creek Watershed.

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