Georgia Water Science Center
This report is available online in pdf format (1 MB): USGS OFR 00-380 (
)
Nancy L. Barber and Timothy C. Stamey
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-380, 2 pages (Published October 2000)
Droughts do not have the immediate
effects of floods, but sustained droughts
can cause economic stress throughout the
State. The word "drought" has various
meanings, depending on a person's
perspective. To a farmer, a drought is a
period of moisture deficiency that affects
the crops under cultivation—even two
weeks without rainfall can stress many
crops during certain periods of the growing
cycle. To a meteorologist, a drought
is a prolonged period when precipitation
is less than normal. To a water manager,
a drought is a deficiency in water supply
that affects water availability and water
quality. To a hydrologist, a drought is an
extended period of decreased precipitation
and streamflow. Droughts in Georgia have
severely affected municipal and industrial
water supplies, agriculture, stream water
quality, recreation at major reservoirs,
hydropower generation, navigation, and
forest resources.
In Georgia, droughts have been documented at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow gaging stations since the 1890’s. From 1910 to 1940, about 20 streamflow gaging stations were in operation. Since the early 1950’s through the late 1980’s, about 100 streamflow gaging stations were in operation. Currently (2000), the USGS streamflow gaging network consists of more than 135 continuous-recording gages. Ground-water levels are currently monitored at 165 wells equipped with continuous recorders.
This report is available online in pdf format (1 MB): USGS OFR 00-380 (
)
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