Now a report from the SE Alaska rain forest:

City warns of water shortage

JUNEAU EMPIRE

Apparently too much sunshine and clear weather can be a bad thing.

The City and Borough of Juneau posted a notice on its website Friday asking residents to begin conserving water due to lower-than-usual supplies for this time of year. Reservoir levels are standing at about 30 percent of usual capacity due to a string of high temperatures and low precipitation.

The Salmon Creek water source is subject to high turbidity in the springtime as hillside runoff fills the lake with water and sediment. A high concentration of sediment requires the source to be taken offline until the turbidity level drops to allowable limits, according to the city. Last Chance Basin, the city’s primary source of water, usually can provide enough water for residents. The combination of increased water usage and inability to use Salmon Creek at this time makes conservation efforts a must.

CBJ Public Works is asking residents to curtail water usage until reservoir levels are back to normal. This includes not washing cars and boats or watering lawns and gardens.

The city warns that a lack of water conservation could lead to low water pressure and the potential loss of water in some areas.

“This is a serious issue and please do everything you can to conserve water,” read the announcement on the CBJ website.

Juneau’s run of warm weather set a record high Friday of 75 degrees. The previous record for May 9 set in 2005 was 71 degrees. Haines tied a record high of 73 (also set in 2005). Prior to Saturday’s light shower, Juneau hadn’t seen rain since April 29.

Since this is a rainforest the shortage won’t last very long.