How do we determine whether we are in a drought?
The Drought Triggers
The primary indicators that water resource managers look at when determining drought status are: 1) the level of the Bear Creek Reservoir, 2) flow levels of the Middle Oconee River and North Oconee River, 3) the Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index, and 4) the Standard Precipitation Index.
Drought Levels
When these primary indicators fall below normal for an extended period of time, Athens-Clarke County reaches drought status. These triggers are also used by the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority and are part of the Drought Contingency Plan. There are four drought levels. Each requires a reduction in water use. Level 1 requires us, and all the member utilities of the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, to reduce water consumption by 2.5%, Level 2 requires a 5% reduction, Level 3 a 10% reduction, and Level 4 requires a 20% reduction.
After the drought, be prepared for:
- Flooding due to litter accumulation in storm drains
- Increased erosion due to lack of grass and vegetation
- Falling trees due to weakened root structures
- Leaking foundations and drainage pipes due to settling
- Continuing to use water efficiently because all the water we have today is all the water we will ever have!
