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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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December
2007
Volume 13 -
Number 3 |
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Report
on Georgia Drought
Kevin J Mahoney The state of Georgia is currently suffering from
the worst drought conditions experienced in at least 100 years. And
they are not alone. North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama,
and Florida are all experiencing levels of “Exceptional Drought”- the most
severe category recognized by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). Complicating the situation is the state of Florida. While
not experiencing exceptional drought conditions, Florida’s industry and ecosystem
rely heavily on water flow originating in Georgia and Alabama, specifically
the Chattahoochee River.
As of March of 2007, Georgia was experiencing mild drought. By April 24, drought conditions in Georgia were considered extreme in 20 counties, severe in 33, and moderate or mild in the rest of the state’s 159 counties. And as of November 20th, the National Drought Monitor reports that 36.91% of the State of Georgia is under “exceptional drought”, the most severe category of drought. While the underlying cause of the drought is the historically low amounts of rainfall in the southeast, there is controversy concerning whether the current crisis could have been averted through better water management programs and conservation efforts. The focal point of the current disagreement is the flow of water through Buford Dam from Lake Lanier to the Chattahoochee River. Lake Lanier is a man-made lake in north Georgia that provides drinking water for the Atlanta metropolitan region. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulates the water flow through Buford Dam, and that water is used by Alabama and Florida. On November 1st, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne hosted a meeting with Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue in Washington, DC. The meeting resulted in a tentative agreement to reduce water flow from the Dam by up to 16%, but Gov. Crist reversed his support of the plan after returning home to much opposition. Additional tri-state talks are scheduled for Dec 11th in Tallahassee. In Atlanta, residents and businesses are looking for new ways to conserve water. Atlanta rainfall this year has been 26.13 in, compared to a normal amount of 44.14 in. According to the NWS, at least four inches of rain are needed to begin having a significant impact, and Georgia is headed into the dry season. Severe watering restrictions are in effect, and businesses are using waterless urinals, turning off fountains, and dry-mopping trucks and floors. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, there is currently 107 days of supply left in Lake Lanier’s primary supply pool. However, USACE points out that if the additional water below the conservation pool is used as well, there is a 280 day supply even with no precipitation. As states argue over who should have conserved more and whether endangered species take priority to human life, residents are learning a new “normal” for water conservation, and the phrase “if it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down” becomes common again. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Nov 13, Gov. Perdue let a statewide prayer for rain, and extended the statewide state of emergency until Dec 20. |