Recent storms in early July brought almost six inches of much needed rain to Castle Pines North. The home of Robert and Sandra Tomlinson (pictured above) in Tapestry Hills was struck by lightening and the garage caught on fire. Special thanks to South Metro Fire Rescue for their quick response. The fire was contained in the garage.

From January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006, Castle Pines North (CPN) was more than five inches below normal yearly rainfall totals. In fact, CPN had only received 5.36 inches during that entire six month period.

Thankfully, the first few days of July brought an average of six inches of much needed rain to the CPN community. The dry, parched open space areas were in desperate need of rain, which also helped reduce the risk of forest fire.

CPN currently has five weather reporting stations that participate in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network known as "CoCoRaHS". CPN resident Galen Crowder monitors rain and snow totals from his home on Huntley Court in HOA1. Four other CPN residents also monitor moisture on Shoreham Drive, Snow Lilly Drive, Winterberry Ridge Place, and Horizon Trail.

CoCoRaHS is a unique non-profit community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who work together to measure and map precipitation. By using low-cost measurement tools and utilizing an interactive website, CoCoRaHS provides the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications.

CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water), insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor & recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who use the data.

According to Crowder, between July 1 to July 10, the four weather stations in CPN reported between 5.94 inches of rain and 6.25 inches, for an average total of 6.07 inches. Moisture totals from January 1 to July 10, 2006, were 10.26 inches.

Moisture statistics for CPN are posted at www.cpnhoa.org. More information about CoCoRaHS can be found at www.cocorahs.net.