Script started on Tue Aug 17 13:16:46 1993 [calypso]% finger drought@dwr.ehnr.nc.gov [dwr.ehnr.nc.gov] NORTH CAROLINA DROUGHT MONITORING COUNCIL BULLETIN Compiled by Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources PO Box 27687, Raleigh NC 27611-7687 Ph. (919)733-4064, Fax (919)733-3558 August 6, 1993 CURRENT CONDITIONS Reports from state and federal agencies indicate that much of North Carolina is in an agricultural drought. Governor Hunt has issued a request to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture that all 100 North Carolina counties be declared a drought emergency. According to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the week ending August 1, 87 percent of North Carolina locations sampled are short or very short of soil moisture. Corn has sustained the most damage of any major crop. Local showers have improved soil moisture conditions in some areas. This has brought brief relief to crops but streamflows and groundwater levels have been mostly unaffected. Streamflows and lake levels declined from above average levels in the spring to normal or below normal levels at the end of July. Groundwater levels remain above average in the mountains and piedmont but dropped to below average levels in the coastal plain. FORECAST The National Weather Service forecast for precipitation has improved. The 30 and 90-day forecasts indicate a 55 percent chance of above average rainfall occurring; however, the additional rainfall is not expected to correct the longterm moisture deficit. Temperatures are expected to remain above normal through August. If dry conditions persist, losses to corn, soybeans and other crops will mount and public and industrial water supply shortages could develop. Should rainfall amounts increase, the soybean, cotton and peanut crop outlook could be favorable. RECOMMENDATIONS Communities should review and update their drought response and water shortage plans and ordinances for suitability and appropriateness. Copies of a Water Shortage Response Handbook describing how a water shortage response program can be developed and implemented are available from the Division of Water Resources (919-733-4064), the Division of Environmental Health (919-733-3204), and the Division of Emergency Management (919-733-5398). REPORT SUMMARIES Rainfall Precipitation - Percent of Normal GAGE JAN - APR MAY - JULY 31 Asheville 99 60 Charlotte 126 39 Greensboro 159 76 Raleigh 134 48 Wilmington 148 72 Hatteras 26 44 Crops Scattered thunder showers provided some localized relief from mostly hot and dry conditons which continued through the week of August 2. Corn, with only five percent of fields irrigated, has suffered the most extensive damage of any major crop. Soybeans are in fair condition but must receive significant rainfall during the next two weeks to remain viable. Tobacco and cotton remain in fair to good condition. The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service stressed that agricultural conditions vary widely across the state. About 87 percent of North Carolina locations sampled are short or very short of soil moisture. With less than 10 percent of State croplands under irrigation, substantial rainfall will be needed during the rest of the growing season. Streamflows and Ground-Water Levels Streamflow decreased throughout the state in July. Most streamflows were significantly below normal in the mountains and coastal plain. July flows generally ranged from 30 to 70 percent of the long-term average for the month. Groundwater levels decreased during July, remaining above average in the West and piedmont, but dropping to below average levels in the coastal plain. Lake and Reservoir Levels Sixty percent of the reporting reservoirs have below normal water levels. None of these reservoirs are significantly below normal for this time of year. Public Water Supplies Water use reports indicate that during peak periods some public water systems have reached the capacity of their plants to produce finished water.. Bryson City (Swain County) has implemented mandatory water conservation that prohibits nonessential water use. Several other water supplies have activated voluntary conservation measures. The most severe problems have occurred with the smaller non-engineered systems. [calypso]% exit [calypso]% script done on Tue Aug 17 13:17:33 1993