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Despite recent rains, dry conditions persist on Delmarva Peninsula
 | | Matt Swinehart | | Golf courses on the Delmarva Peninsula have had to keep the water running this summer. |
Although recent rains have helped soften seemingly petrified grounds and refreshed plants and grasses, officials said drought conditions still persist across the Delmarva Peninsula.
Level One Mandatory Restrictions imposed by Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening for the central region of the state remain in effect. These regulations prohibit the watering of grass areas, the use of automatic sprinkler systems for watering landscape plants and garden areas, washing paved areas, operation of ornamental fountains, and the washing of vehicles, just to name a few.
On the Eastern Shore, golf course officials are pleased those sanctions have not been imposed to date.
“We’re not fairing too bad. We have some brown spots out there, but all in all, we’re doing all right,” said Jeff Fields, Ocean Resorts Golf Club’s General Manager. “The course has held up pretty well. The tee boxes, fairways and greens are in good shape.”
The Ocean Resorts maintenance staff uses about six million gallons of water a month to maintain playable conditions.
“We’ll abide with any regulations,” Fields said about the potential for Level One Mandatory Restrictions here. “We’re hoping it doesn’t come to that.”
Dry conditions on the Eastern Shore have raised red flag warnings with Maryland Department of Environment officials since December. A “Drought Watch” advisory was implemented last winter, suggesting a lack of precipitation could lead to water supply concerns for certain Maryland public water systems and other users.
A drought watch is the first stage in Maryland’s Drought Management Plan. Precipitation deficits, below normal stream flow, and below normal ground water levels for central Maryland and the Eastern Shore at the end of November triggered the announcement.
Officials stressed that conserving water is a good practice at all times, but becomes especially important during prolonged periods of limited rainfall. Peninsula residents are encouraged to take voluntary steps to reduce their water use by 10 percent.
“Although precipitation has been at or above normal for the past three months, the rainfall has done little to relieve the area’s water supply shortage, which began last summer,” said Acting Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Merrylin Zaw-Mon.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ defines a drought a period of time when natural or managed water systems do not provide enough water to meet established human and environmental uses because of natural shortfalls in precipitation or stream flow.
The latest official forecast for August-October, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shows slightly increased odds for below-normal rainfall from the Appalachians northward to New England. As a result, despite recent relief in the mid-Atlantic, drought conditions are likely to persist into October.
Consistent with recent trends and rainfall forecasts, the drought is anticipated to develop north and west of the coastal mid-Atlantic region, including over New England, the eastern Ohio Valley, and southeastern Michigan.
“This will have measurable affect on the golf course and how it aesthetically appears to the average golfer,” said Bob Baldassari, PGA, head professional at River Run Golf Club and a member of the Maryland Water Advisory Committee.
Recently, the Mid-Atlantic Green Section of the United States Golf Association offered course officials some grass management and water usage suggestions relating to the drought. They included raising mower heights and cutting grasses less often, minimizing traffic on fairways by mandating cart path only regulations, deferring heavy applications of fertilizers, especially granular materials, until the weather moderates and communication — telling golfers to expect less than perfect turf conditions.
“This is a natural state for turf grasses. It tends to turn brown because of a defense mechanism it contains. Just because it turns brown doesn’t mean it dies. With some moisture, it has the ability to bounce back. Golfers should think of it as a hibernation stage of sorts, not as a golf course in poor condition.” Baldassari said.
The Peninsula also has an abundance of farmers who are experiencing one of the worst dry spells since the mid 1960s. Producing mainly corn and soybean products, they have carded record losses due to the lack of precipitation. Less than 10 percent of the farmers in Worcester County have access to irrigation systems.
Conversely, an abundance of rain, especially in a short period of time, can cause surviving crops to rot due to the flooding conditions that would occur.
Inside the home, government officials said additional conservation measures can reduce water usage, including repairing leaks, taking shorter showers, turning off the water when shaving or brushing teeth, mulching garden areas to conserve soil moisture, and running dishwashers and washing machines only with a full load.
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