March Almanac Is Rain On the Way?

The 35-acre Angel Fire on Feb. 8 started behind the Julian Volunteer Fire Station. No one was injured; no structures were lost and 37-year old Robert Stearns was arrested by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

By Clinton S. Powell, Naturalist

March is the last month of the year that historically has produced significant rainfall in our Southern California Mountains. Our official rain year begins on the first day of July to the end of June; however, not much is expected in the three months, especially July: July is hot, a dry time to air out the rugs, dogs and the mister. This month's weather traditionally marks the end of the year that historically rainfall is considered significant. Reviewing this year's rainfall is once again a sorry tally. One good reason for March? This month's weather is traditionally the end of the Pacific storms, all weather fronts die before entering even southern Oregon...And possibly, just possibly, your half-cord of dry oak, pine and cedar, will keep you warm until, say the last. Any water is big business. Consider the plundering of Mono Lake, all the Owens Valley and the totally dry Inyo Lake, all sent to Los Angeles. A fortune was made because of this water; the land now dried, cracked, disappeared and only toxic dust remains of this vast verdant land. Read the "Cadillac Desert," by Marc Reisnor, for exact details.

Eagle Peak Photo by Sean Kinney

March Rainfall compiled by The Weather Channel and AOL is the source of my weather.

Now we look at our justly famous warm winter days: 74 degrees in 1975! Add to that day and temperature, 14 more days of 70 degrees or higher. Cry Duluth, Buffalo and Billings, cry! March in Julian is a crystal gem worn frequently and well worth bragging and showing off to the folks "up north." March rainfall in Julian averages 7.8 inches, Wynola, 5.3 inches, Cuyamaca, 6.7 inches, Lake Henshaw, 4.9 inches, Warner Springs, 2.4 inches, Ranchita, 2.0 inches, Palomar Mountain, 5.3 inches. Snowfall data is not available due to extremely expensive equipment, so the melted snow is included in total rainfall. Merely referring to these averages this year is depressing; rainfall may be measured with a tea cup this March. Or, maybe not! Let's take all we can.

Temperatures are also from The Weather Channel and AOL. These statistics, called "stats" by baseball's legendary Dizzy Dean are scary. The coldest March date was -4 degrees in 1949. Raise your hand if you remember that 1949 recording. Also, 12 other days were single-digit readings;

I lived here on those mornings, but these were only numbers and it was cold!

A review of last year's rainfall was stunning. Rainfall totaled 36.48 inches at the end of March. This year 5.36 inches (2005) 5.36 inches was all that could be squeezed out of the same rain gauge at Julian's California Department of Forestry. The predictions for significant rainfall during March by the NWS are sobering. Will a wet El Nino occur, a dry La Nina, or a La Nada happen? We will know in April. I do not give forecasts, only "back casts." Historical rainfall is the only clear, unencumbered of measuring rain.

So many weather reporters and forecasters state that dangerous driving conditions are predicted this evening or during rush hour, due to rain, and in the mountains an alert is posted for snow above 4,000 feet. A rain alert is broadcast over the radio, seen on The Weather Channel and every news segment. I agree: Driving in any weather is dangerous. However, do the most important facts about rain have to do with driving? It seems that once the precipitaiton is over, the entire subject is forgotten until the next storm.

What about our dry creek beds, lakes? Water is a very expensive commodity and every 10th of an inch of rain accumulating in our lakes equates to money. Rainfall fills our lakes and helps to fill the water sucked from the Colorado River. Historically, the Colorado River flowed continuously into the Sea of Cortez. This flow will never occur again; We've sucked it dry, diverted it to other states, because "of demand and water rights." I view the propensity to put a nipple on the Colorado River and sending its precious payload to cities is nothing more than eminent domain.

Rainfall in Julian flows into two major drainages: the Pacific drainage and the Colorado region. By simply looking at a topographical map, it is easy to see where water flows. Most, of course, flows toward the Pacific Coast. Lake Cuyamaca was built in 1886 to temporarily hold the runoff from winter rains; then in spring, was drained into El Capitan Reservoir in order to provide water to El Cajon, La Mesa and adjoining cities. Lake Cuyamaca recreational fishing provided the primary reason to keep water in the lake rather than totally draining it. Today fishing provides not only an economy never before experienced, but it provides the mere sight of a mountain lake; it is priceless. Lake Henshaw was built in 1911 for the same reason, to hold winter rains and a portion drained to supply water to Vista and surrounding communities including Lake Hodges and finally enters the ocean in Del Mar.

Water is big money. Consider what became known as the Hatfield Rain in January 1916: After a prolonged drought, James Hatfield was hired by the City of San Diego to produce rain. He did: 37.50 inches of rain was recorded that month at Lake Cuyamaca! Did Lake Cuyamaca pour over the spillway, silently but directly roar into Boulder Creek? Perhaps only Alfie and Louie Lewis, the dam keepers knew that fury, fear and roaring. Such a life, a time that forever changed life. How about Lake Morena and so many other lakes, did they fill as never before in history? James Hatfield was stiffed: he "produced" too much rain. Dams breached, railroad lines totally were totally wrecked. He left San Diego with his hat, not much more, a total failure, too much of a good thing.

Photo by Brian Kramer