Canon City Xeriscape Demo Final Report

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. . . CITY OF CANON CITY XERISCAPE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN located at CANON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT 161 JUSTICE CENTER ROAD August 1998 PROJECT BACKGROUND The City of Canon City has recognized the fact that as the population of the area grows, so does the demand for water. Canon City area residents use water mainly for household and landscape purposes. Fortunately, our source of water for domestic use is the Arkansas River. The City water system has very little storage capacity and depends on a continuous flow from the upper Arkansas river drainage basin, Our water supply is finite and needs to be protected through water conservation methods. Recognizing the increasing need for a limited resource, the City of Canon City has developed a water conservation plan. The plan calls for a series of measures that will help water users to more efficiently use water. One of the water conservation measures is called "xeriscape" landscaping. Landscape water usage accounts for half of all water consumption during the growing season. Residential development has put a greater demand on the amount of water consumed for landscape purposes, Traditional landscape plant materials such as cottonwood trees and Kentucky bluegrass are planted around new homes. Unfortunately, these type of plants are high water consumers and require a high level of maintenance, Xeriscaping methods can save as much as 50% of all water used on residential yards and other landscaped areas, The City of Canon City, as part of its water conservation plan, decided to develop a ''xeriscape demonstration garden". The concept is to provide Canon City area residents a place where they can come, observe and learn about landscape water conservation methods. The City of Canon City decided to provide such an educational area at the site of its new Police Department at 161 Justice Center Road. The water conservation plan was expanded to include a ''Partnership Agreement" between several public agencies. The agreement states that all the partners will work together to provide the public with information, education and assistance in water conservation measures, GOALS OF XERISCAPE PROJECT -Provide a demonstration garden for residents of Canon City and Fremont County; -Educate the public about water conservation and benefits ofxeriscape landscaping; -Decrease water consumption for landscaping, I