Environment

    Overview

    Drought Preparedness
    & Response

    Land Use &
    Environment Committee

    Low Impact
    Development

    TMDL Development

       Rappahannock Basin

    TMDL Implementation

       Carter, Deep, Great
       & Thumb Runs

Drought Preparedness & Response Information

According to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)- Office of Water Supply Planning, this year's weather and groundwater conditions are very similar to the winter of 2001 leading up to the 2002 drought. The conditions consist of low stream flows, limited to no ground water recharge, and projections for warmer than normal temps and lower than normal precipitation. DEQ representatives stated that 1" of rain every couple weeks is needed this spring and summer to avoid problems.

The dry conditions have resulted in increasing fire dangers throughout the state and across the 5 county R-R Region.

According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, since the beginning of the year, 1,433 fires have consumed 14,462 acres, which is about 4,000 acres more than burned in 2007. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 78 counties and 34 independent cities primary natural disaster areas because of losses due to drought and high temperatures throughout 2007. Farmers in these counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.

To deal with the current drought and potential summer issues, DEQ recommends that local governments take the following actions:

  •  Develop local triggers and response plan as part of your required Water
     Supply Plan
  •  Establish a community advisory body to make recommendations
     regarding actions that should be taken and when
  •  Establish summer surcharge as appropriate
  •  Focus resources on public education

According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), while some areas of the Southeast were wetter than average during the winter, overall precipitation for the region was near average. At the end of February 2008, two-thirds of the Southeast, including Virginia, remained in some stage of drought, with more than 25 percent in extreme-to- exceptional drought.

In addition, NOAA data indicates winter temperatures were warmer than average from Texas to the Southeast and along the Eastern Seaboard. Drought monitor indices show a moderate drought based on short term precipitation conditions, of less than one year, and a severe drought based on long term conditions, of one to four years.

There are a number of websites to access additional information on the drought, flooding, forecasts, and historical relevance. These sites include the following:

DEQ Water Supply Planning Program
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/watersupplyplanning/progres.html
A number of useful links can be found on this site including, the Drought Monitor Index and tips on water conservation. It also includes the Drought Status Report, which is updated monthly.

USGS Water Watch
http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/?m=real&w=map%22&r=va
This site shows real-time streamflow of Virginia streams compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year. As of April 1, 2008, all stations within the R-R Region indicate below normal to much below normal streamflow.

US Drought Monitor - Virginia
http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?VA,SE
This website is updated on Thursday of every week. The map below is the most current analysis of drought conditions in our area. As of April 1, 2008, this site indicates a moderate drought for the majority of the region and a severe drought for the southern part of Orange County.