Winter Rainfall Not Doing Much to Lessen North Georgia Drought
Despite a string of several rainy days this month, it looks like January’s rainfall is going to be less than normal, and that isn’t helping the ongoing drought. As of today, the rainfall gauge at Hartsfield Airport stands at 2.24 inches, or 45% of the just over five inches we would expect in a normal January.
Athens is at 43% of normal, and Gainesville is at 34% of normal of what is normally one of the wettest months of the year. With normal rainfall in December, and the colder temperatures causing less evaporation, drought conditions have loosened slightly, as seen in the latest drought map to the right, but there is concern that real problems could arise again next summer.
Indeed, Georgia State Climatologist released a report today expressing just that fear. Citing soil moisture levels as low as 5% in extreme north Georgia and 30% of normal along the Fall Line between Columbus and Augusta, and river flows at less than 50% of normal throughout most of the state, Stooksbury says that we are still in a drought, and that the outlook isn’t promising:
There is concern Georgia will not receive enough rain this winter and spring to cushion us this summer. If we do not receive enough rain, we may need strong conservation efforts in summer to protect the water supply.
Concerns about the possible effects of continuing the current level 4 drought restrictions next summer have been highlighted in recent newspaper articles about the possibility that pools might not be able to open this summer, and Six Flags over Georgia may not be able to operate several of its most popular water-driven rides.
Even if we don’t get much rain before the warmer weather starts, I don’t think that we’ll run out of drinking water this summer (something unofficially confirmed to me today by a senior official at the Gwinnett Department of Water Resources). But, unless we get some rain, you’re going to see some real stress on the trees after they put out their leaves, and officials are going to have to make some hard choices about water use.
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January 31st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Just wondering — what do the state and county officials think about the long term precipitation forecasts that predict normal rainfall starting in around May (give or take a month)? How will that affect water supply?
January 31st, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I’m sure that state officials are looking at the chances for improved rainfall this summer, and taking them into consideration in deciding what to do. Part of the problem is that people are asking for answers now so that they can make plans for summer. I think that the consensus is that the La Nina conditions that are likely to reduce winter rainfall will diminish sometime this spring, and that probably has a lot to do with the long range forecast for improved rainfall - that and the possibility of tropical weather.
That being said, State EPD Director Carol Couch is supposed to issue watering restriction recommendations tomorrow (February 1st). Supposedly, there has to be four months of improved conditions in order to lift the level 4 watering restrictions. I’m not sure how improved conditions are defined, but so far, December has been the only month with normal rainfall in quite a while, and unless a bunch of rain comes in tonight, January doesn’t look real good. No matter what decision she announces, some people are going to be unhappy, and you can look for lobbying to continue.
Some of the battle has moved on to the legislature, where a bill has been introduced in the House to limit the EPD’s authority to close swimming pools due to the drought. I’ve spoken to a golf course superintendent who told me that the needs of golf courses will be considered when decisions about new restrictions are made.
Gwinnett representative Mike Coan told Chamber of Commerce members tonight that in past droughts, the return to normal rainfall has stopped progress on efforts towards ensuring Georgia’s water supply. I don’t think that this is going to happen this time. The legislature will hopefully follow through and pass bills enabling faster construction of reservoirs and improved management of Georgia’s water resources.