Dry Times
Not too long ago I was posting pictures of Engelmann's Prickly Pear in full bloom. The lead photograph (and all photos below) was taken this morning on the Upper Javelina Trail of an Engelmann's Prickly Pear. They are in the same condition in the Tortolita Preserve. You can see the pads are shriveling due to lack of water.
Even the very drought resistant Creosote Bush (right) is showing signs of distress. They usually stay green in the driest of times.
Let's hope for rain soon but it does not look good. The Colorado River System Contents (Lake Mead and Lake Powell) is only 49% full versus 53% full last year at this time.
A recent Associate Press Article: Climatologist: Dry areas in US Southwest getting drier, supports our Recommendation to allow only 75% of a water provider's Colorado River allotment for current use with any additional amount going to storage to eliminate aquifer overdraft and save water for the future.