By David Emory Stooksbury
University of
Georgia
Moderate drought conditions have returned to parts of Georgia,
generally south of a line from Toccoa to Atlanta to Franklin.
North of this line the state ranges from abnormally dry to mild
drought. Conditions are best north and west of Atlanta.
The driest part of the state is east of a Toccoa-to-Cairo line.
Most places in this region have had less than 12 inches of rain
this year. Normal rainfall would be 18 to 26 inches since Jan.
1.
Rainfall deficits for Jan. 1 through May 25 for major cities
include: Athens, 10.84 inches; Atlanta, 8.94; Augusta, 6.31;
Columbus, 7.44; Macon, 5.39; and Savannah, 5.50.
Dry dirt
Just as important is the moisture loss from the soils through
evaporation and transpiration (plant water use).
Because of the early arrival of temperatures in the upper 80s to
lower 90s, moisture loss from the soils has accelerated over the
past couple of weeks.
In a normal year, soil moisture increases between Jan. 1 and the
end of May. The increase would range from more than 4 inches in
drier places to more than 12 inches in the wetter mountain
areas.
For many places in Georgia, soil moisture has dropped since Jan.
1. Alma has had a soil moisture loss of 5.74 inches, Cairo 3.88
inches, Camilla 2.30, Dearing 2.58, Griffin 1.35, Jonesboro
2.01, Plains 2.23, Savannah 3.25, Statesboro 5.00, Valdosta 4.12
and Watkinsville 1.19.
Early summer
Across north Georgia, soil moisture has increased since Jan. 1.
However, the amount of increase is well below normal. Sites
reporting soil moisture increases include Alpharetta, 2.65
inches; Atlanta (Clark-Atlanta University), 0.02; Blairsville,
5.06; Dunwoody, 1.33; LaFayette, 3.43; and Rome, 8.80.
Soil moisture data is from the 50-plus weather stations in the
University of Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring
Network.
Now that we’ve entered late May, soil moisture loss through
evaporation and transpiration is normally greater than rainfall.
So even with normal rainfall, the soils will keep drying out
through early October.
Streams low
U.S. Geological Survey stream gauges are showing extremely low
flows across the entire state, except the northwest corner.
Several stations have stream flows at 25 percent to 50 percent
of normal for late May. Record to near-record low flows for late
May are found in southeast Georgia.
Based on USGS data, groundwater didn’t get normal recharges last
winter. With record to near-record dryness in March through
mid-May and increased irrigation, groundwater levels are
beginning to drop. Many monitoring wells in southwest Georgia
are near levels last seen in late 2002, when Georgia was
recovering from the 1998-2002 drought.
The normal recharge season for groundwater is over. Levels are
expected to keep dropping through summer into fall.
Lakes, too
Because of abundant rainfall from September 2002 through June
2003 and prudent management by the Army Corps of Engineers, the
state’s major reservoirs are in good shape.
However, smaller lakes and farm ponds are beginning to show
drought impacts. If the low inflow into the major reservoirs
continues, water levels will soon begin to drop noticeably.
Dry on the farm
The major drought impact so far has been in agriculture.
The Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service reports that some
farmers are reevaluating their options.
Hay production is down. Some growers have had to do supplemental
feeding because of the poor quality of pastures. Pasture
conditions are especially in poor shape across middle
Georgia.
Irrigation is being used to supplement low soil moisture.
Get used to it
There is little hope for short-term recovery. Widespread
significant rains don’t seem likely until at least the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s to middle 90s
across the entire state except the mountains.
Drought conditions are expected to continue through summer.
Tropical activity is usually the only hope of widespread drought
relief during the summer. Scattered afternoon and evening
thunderstorms can bring temporary local relief but usually won’t
end a regional drought.
Because of the dry conditions, extra water conservation measures
are encouraged. Suggestions are available from your county UGA
Extension Service office or local water utility.
Comprehensive updated drought information is at
www.georgiadrought.org.
Real-time weather conditions, including
soil moisture balance, is at www.georgiaweather.net.
(David Emory Stooksbury is the state climatologist and a
professor of engineering and atmospheric sciences in the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.)
