I understand what you're feeling. I agree that this year is probably just a step on the steady climb up to a warmer, drier climate for this region. I think in the long-term that we will see wide-spread desertification across large parts of north and northwest Texas. Conservation efforts are lagging changes we already see in climatic conditions, and water usage in the region is still not low enough to be sustainable. Land use practices need to be reevaluated to slow the process.
The long term temperature trend is not favorable for this region. We are lucky though that this year is the third La Nina year (warmer and drier overall in this region) and since it is unusual to see that many consecutive La Ninas, we are due for a reversal to El Nino which tends to be milder and wetter. My only task is to keep as many things healthy as possible so that they can benefit from the more favorable growing conditions.
My own records here show the cyclic variability and demonstrate that the average rainfall should be plenty to support the native plants that I am trying to maintain. In the 20 years that I have been keeping detailed records annual rainfall has varied across a wide range from 19.21" (488 mm) to 68.33" (1736 mm). The average total is 34.37" (873 mm). We are 2/3 of the way through the year and I have accumulated roughly 2/3 of volume from our lowest ever year (2005). It will be interesting to see whether autumn rains push me past that low number.
I'm a geoscientist by training so there is already the knowledge that change is inevitable, but that it usually happens on much longer time scales. I'm fighting a delaying action here. It can work but things will need help so I capture rainwater for dry times since my only water out here comes from rain and from our water well and I don't want to use well water to water lawns or trees. That is why I focus on native plants and trees that are adapted to regional climatic variability.
I'll continue working to keep my place vibrant with native plants and grasses so that maybe in the long term it can be an oasis in the desert for wildlife moving through the area instead of just a great spot for another convenience store for all the people that are leaving the big city and heading out this way.
The long term temperature trend is not favorable for this region. We are lucky though that this year is the third La Nina year (warmer and drier overall in this region) and since it is unusual to see that many consecutive La Ninas, we are due for a reversal to El Nino which tends to be milder and wetter. My only task is to keep as many things healthy as possible so that they can benefit from the more favorable growing conditions.
My own records here show the cyclic variability and demonstrate that the average rainfall should be plenty to support the native plants that I am trying to maintain. In the 20 years that I have been keeping detailed records annual rainfall has varied across a wide range from 19.21" (488 mm) to 68.33" (1736 mm). The average total is 34.37" (873 mm). We are 2/3 of the way through the year and I have accumulated roughly 2/3 of volume from our lowest ever year (2005). It will be interesting to see whether autumn rains push me past that low number.
I'm a geoscientist by training so there is already the knowledge that change is inevitable, but that it usually happens on much longer time scales. I'm fighting a delaying action here. It can work but things will need help so I capture rainwater for dry times since my only water out here comes from rain and from our water well and I don't want to use well water to water lawns or trees. That is why I focus on native plants and trees that are adapted to regional climatic variability.
I'll continue working to keep my place vibrant with native plants and grasses so that maybe in the long term it can be an oasis in the desert for wildlife moving through the area instead of just a great spot for another convenience store for all the people that are leaving the big city and heading out this way.