Rainwater Harvesting ProgramRainwater Catchment, also known as Rainwater Harvesting in Clackamas County seems to be an oxymoron, with anywhere from 35 to 150 inches of precipitation each year falling throughout the area. However, in recent years both rural and rural residents have come to understand the value and significances of catching the rain as wells have dried up. There are three possible solutions to low well volume - deepen the existing well, dig a new well (without assurance that you will get sufficient water) or design a rainwater catchment system. Studies have shown the static groundwater levels are dropping on the west side of the Cascades. Increased building in both rural and urban areas will surely bring water quantity to the critical point. The Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District has assisted in a number of demonstration systems to show the value of rainwater catchment. Presently, the demonstration sites include a 300 gallon series of 50 gallon barrels, a 7,000 gallon system, a 12,000 gallon tank and delivery system, a below ground 20,000 gallon tank and delivery system, an 88,000 gallon above ground tank and delivery gallon system. In the future, the Conservation District will be looking at the possibility of assisting residents that wish to reduce their dependence on both surface and groundwater by installing rainwater catchment systems.
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