Clovis, NM rainwater: 15,300 gallons off a roof
How much rain a roof in Clovis, NM collects
15,300gallons a year
That is a 1,500 sq ft asphalt roof under Clovis, NM's normal 19.3 inches of rain, about 795 gallons for every inch that falls.
In Clovis, NM a single barrel does most of the work. Storms come often enough that a small tank refills before it runs dry, and a bigger one would mostly sit full.
Rainfall: NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals, the Clovis 2.3 Nne station (0.7 mi away). Clovis, NM ranks 1st wettest of the 19 cities covered in New Mexico.
Month by month in Clovis
| Month | Rain (in) | Off the roof (gal) | Garden shortfall (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0.63 | 501 | |
| Feb | 0.44 | 350 | |
| Mar | 0.93 | 739 | |
| Apr | 0.98 | 779 | 420 |
| May | 2.62 | 2,082 | 216 |
| Jun | 2.49 | 1,979 | 232 |
| Jul | 2.46 | 1,955 | 236 |
| Aug | 2.87 | 2,281 | 185 |
| Sep | 2.66 | 2,114 | 211 |
| Oct | 1.97 | 1,566 | 297 |
| Nov | 0.57 | 453 | |
| Dec | 0.63 | 501 |
Aug is the wettest month (2.87 in, 2,281 gal off the roof); Feb the driest (0.44 in). Garden shortfall is what a 200 sq ft vegetable bed needs beyond the rain that lands on it, April to October.
Which tank size is worth it in Clovis
Best fit: 2 linked 55-gallon barrels, which delivers about 1,490 gallons to the garden in a normal year (83.0% of its need).
If you buy one, a 55-gallon barrel with a downspout diverter is the whole job. Check that the overflow points away from your foundation, because most of Clovis's roof water will pass straight through it.
| Tank | Water used (gal/yr) | Spills over (gal/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 55 gal | 1,237 | 13,508 |
| 110 gal | 1,490 | 13,255 |
| 165 gal | 1,554 | 13,191 |
| 275 gal | 1,585 | 13,160 |
| 550 gal | 1,585 | 13,160 |
| 1,000 gal | 1,585 | 13,160 |
| 1,500 gal | 1,585 | 13,160 |
| 2,500 gal | 1,585 | 13,160 |
| 5,000 gal | 1,585 | 13,160 |
Simulated storm by storm through a normal year using the station's count of days with 0.1 in or more of rain each month.
Is rainwater collection legal in New Mexico?
Regulated through the State Engineer Office; no specific requirements exist for outdoor uses; indoor uses must meet quality standards; check county for local incentives
From the 2015 (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory report 24347); not yet re-checked against current law, so check with your state water agency before building anything large. Source