By David Emory Stooksbury
University of Georgia
Athens, Ga. — The past six months have been abnormally dry
across the entire state of Georgia.
Rainfall during the cool season, October through March, is needed
to recharge soil moisture, groundwater, and reservoirs. Because
of the dry cool season, the soil moisture hasn’t been adequately
recharged. As a result, the state has abnormally dry soils and
low stream flows for April.
Low soil moisture
Soil moisture is lowest in the Chattahoochee and Savannah River
Valleys and along the fall line. Only extreme southeast Georgia
has near normal soil moisture for April.
U.S. Geological Survey stream gauges are showing low flows across
the entire state. Many streams are between the 10th and 25th
percentile for the date. This means that at the 10th percentile,
we expect the
stream flow to be greater
than the current value 90 years out of 100 for this date.
At the 25th percentile, we expect the stream flow to be greater
75 years out of 100.
Based on USGS data, groundwater levels were showing good recharge
in November and December 2005. However, with abnormal dryness
during February through mid-April, these levels are beginning to
drop.
Groundwater decreasing
The normal recharge season for groundwater is over. So
groundwater levels are expected to keep dropping through summer
into fall.
The state’s major reservoirs are in good shape. Levels will begin
to drop, though, without adequate rainfall soon.
Georgia is now under the normal odd-even outdoor water use
schedule. Odd-numbered addresses may water only on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may
water only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. There are no
hour limits.
The normal odd-even schedule is used whenever the state isn’t
experiencing a drought. While conditions are abnormally dry,
Georgia is not in a drought. However, proper water use during
abnormally dry times can delay or even prevent the need for more
stringent water use restrictions later.
Local governments and water providers are authorized to implement
more stringent outdoor water use schedules within their
jurisdictions.
Comprehensive updated information may be found at
www.georgiadrought.org. Real-time weather conditions, including
soil moisture balance, may be found at www.georgiaweather.net.
