There You Are, El Niño!

2/1/2016

This was not my intended post for today, but El Niño showed up in a BIG way yesterday bringing nearly an inch of rain to Bakersfield. There's been some teasing this winter, but nothing like the rain that we had yesterday.

Driving to the barn ... yes, those are oil derricks.

Let me put it this way: in the four winters that I've been at my current barn, there hasn't been a rainy day where I thought, "I don't think I'm going to get to ride tomorrow."

I don't think i am riding today.

I moved to this barn just as California's drought was settling in for a good long stay. Every time it rained, I did the happy dance because it meant that I didn't have to water. Yes, I water in the winter; it's been that dry.

I don't think i am going to be able to ride today.

Even when it does rain, it's usually just enough to maybe soak the dust down, if I am lucky. Within a day or two, we're dealing with dust again, and there are never puddles. Until Yesterday.

A puddle!

We need the rain more than a non-Californian can even imagine. In the southern part of California's southern valley, where I live, we've had less than 10 inches in the last four years combined. While our drought might not seem to be something that affects you directly, I bet you've eaten grapes, almonds, beef, or wine from California. This drought has been devastating to our economy, air quality, and over-all quality of life. I am grateful that my arena is a bit soggy.

My drive home!

The funny thing is that while I probably can't ride today, I am feeling confident things will be dry by Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest. That's California for ya!

jenj

2/1/2016 10:51:43 am

Wow, that looks like a lot more than an inch of water!

Bakersfield Dressage link

2/1/2016 12:14:39 pm

The ground is very hard and dry so it doesn't soak in very well. The area where I took those photos is rich in clay so the water tends to just run off. And, an inch here is a massive amount, especially when it happens in less than 24 hours!

Nicole link

2/1/2016 12:05:12 pm

Is an inch a lot for Bakersfield? We got four inches over the weekend of Jan 16 (though only in certain locations, other areas less than a few miles away got only 1 inch) . It was neat! The ground is finally saturated so the creeks are starting to flow and reservoirs are getting filled. I don't like not being able to ride as much, but I DO like modest dents in the drought!

2/1/2016 12:21:17 pm

An inch a a HUGE amount. Our normal annual rainfall is around 6 inches. We've been getting a little more than 2 inches since the drought started, so yesterday we got half a year's worth of rain in one day. I am from Humboldt County, so I know what "real" rain looks like, so I know an inch doesn't sound like much. But when it takes all year to get 6 inches, a single inch in less than a day is pretty substantial.

I was at an endurance rider over on the coast about 7 or 8 years ago, and it rained 5 inches over night. It was pretty wet. If it did that here, the flooding would seriously be catastrophic! :0)

2/2/2016 11:23:37 am

Ah yes, you DO know what real rain is all about in Humboldt! Yeah, half a year's worth of rain in one weekend is pretty extreme. But hopefully you guys are getting some nice ground water buildup too!

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage