Tuba City

Tuba City

Climate Zone

My town is in the High Elevation Climate Zone. This zone consists of cool plateau highlands from 4,000 - 6,000 feet and cold mountains from 6,000 - 8,000 feet. This zone is semi-arid to arid, but the highest elevations may receive up to 30 inches of precipitation annually.

Seasonal Tips

Fall in the high elevation climate zone is cool, with temperatures dropping by October when the first frosts may occur.

  • Adjust irrigation and watering schedule when the temperatures cool, usually in September. 
  • Turn off automatic watering systems when it rains, or install a rain sensor to do this automatically.
  • Mulch to protect plants from frost.
  • Winterize plumbing to keep pipes from bursting (typically 20 degrees F. or below).

Winter in the high elevation climate zone is cold to extremely cold, with snow, frozen soils and drying winds. The last killing frost can be as late as mid-June.

  • Adjust irrigation and watering schedule for winter temperatures and shorter days.
  • Turn off automatic watering systems when it rains, or install a rain sensor to do this automatically. 
  • To protect your plumbing, wrap any exposed pipes with insulation and disconnect and drain your garden hoses. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut off the main water valve immediately.

Spring in the high elevation climate zone is cool, with frosts normal through April, and sometimes occurring as late as mid-June.

  • Adjust irrigation and watering schedule for warmer temperatures and plant growth, if there is little or no precipitation. One to three inches of snow is not enough to keep the soil moist.
  • Remove most of the mulch applied in the previous fall so that light and air can reach the soil. Leave a thin layer to protect plants from the drying spring winds. 
  • Turn off sprinklers and postpone watering on windy days to reduce evaporation loss. 

Summer in the high elevation climate zone is mild, however, there can be killing frosts as late as mid-June.

  • Adjust irrigation and watering schedule for summer temperatures.
  • Collect monsoon rainwater from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts, and direct rainwater to your plants.
  • Water your plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
  • If you use an evaporative cooler, reduce the flow of bleed-off water discharged, and use it for irrigation for plants that are not sensitive to the salts. 
  • Turn off automatic watering systems when it rains, or install a rain sensor or smart controller to do this automatically. 
  • Keep a thin layer of mulch around plants to reduce water evaporation and control weeds.
  • Protect your home from wildfires (which are more common during drought) by making sure that any plants located near the house are more widely-spaced and lower-growing than those farther away.
  • Check irrigation timer clocks to be sure lightning storms haven't disrupted the programming. Now is a good time to replace batteries since fresh batteries will be more likely to maintain your programming even with a few electrical disruptions.

 

Community Water System Map

The Community Water Systems (CWS) Interactive Map provides a detailed look at all of the Community Water Systems and the areas they serve.  You have the option to search for a water system by using the search feature and entering the CWS Number (91-), ADEQ Number (AZ...), or the water system name.  Another option is to select the service area on the map, where a pop-up will open providing you with the details of that water system.  Some of the information provided in the pop-up includes: owner name, address, phone number, CWS number, ADEQ number and population of the service area.  If you select your Community Water System and find the information to be incorrect, please contact ADWR so we can update your records.

 

Resources

 

Events

There's a variety of classes and workshops available around the state that you can participate in to learn more about outdoor water conservation. Many of these events are free.

Learn More