The following information contains links to relevant drought condition indicators and other information. For specific information related to how these indicators are used in Alabama’s drought planning and response process, please refer to the Alabama Drought Plan.
OWR GIS Mapping Portal
OWR is using GIS tools and technology to help better understand and display water resources and drought-related information. To access the portal, click here.
US Drought Portal (Drought.Gov)
For information related to national drought conditions, resources, and information, click here.
Public Water System Drought Planning Resources
The following information is provided to help local public water systems and providers with drought planning and response activities.
Community Public Water System Drought Conservation Plans – Under the Alabama Drought Planning and Response Act, all community public water systems are required to have a drought conservation plan and submit a copy to the Alabama Office of Water Resources. The plan can be either a stand-alone plan or a component of a broader all hazards planning document. To assist in the development of such plans, the following example plans are provided for systems that have different sources of water: In addition, a handout containing a summary of the required components of a drought conservation plan has been developed and can be downloaded here.
Surface Water Supplied System – The Waterworks and Sewer Board of the City of Gadsden submitted an excellent plan for a surface water system that meets all necessary requirements of the Alabama Drought Planning and Response Act. This plan sets parameters based on system capacity and overall system storage as key triggers in its decision making process. OWR recommends that surface water community public water systems that are developing a Drought Conservation Plan review this plan as a template. A copy is available here.
Groundwater Supplied System – Daphne Utilities submitted an excellent Drought Conservation Plan for a groundwater system that meets all necessary requirements of the Alabama Drought Planning and Response Act. This plan sets parameters on pumping capacity as well as overall system pressure as key triggers in its decision making process. A copy is available here.
Comprehensive Plan – The Smiths Water and Sewer Authority submitted a Drought Conservation Plan that lists ways it will coordinate drought response activities with various stakeholders and is a great example of what systems should do as response to drought. The Smiths Water and Sewer Authority’s Plan lists detailed restrictions for customers and detailed checklist for water system personnel to follow. OWR recommends that all systems currently developing a Drought Conservation Plan review this plan for concepts related to developing staged water plans and for developing a plan to discuss the plan with water users. A copy is available here.
Alabama Climate Information
- Alabama Climate Report – Provided by the State Climatologist of Alabama
- Alabama Office of the State Climatologist
- Climate Change and Agriculture
Agriculture and Drought
- Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
- US Department of Agriculture
- Alabama Extension Service Drought Resources
Soil Moisture Conditions
- Crop Moisture Index – Developed by Climate Prediction Center, NWS, provided by AOSC
- Palmer Drought Severity Index for Alabama – Provided by the Climate Prediction Center, NOAA
- GriDSSAT Crop Model Information – Provided by the State Climatologist of Alabama
Reservoir System Conditions
- Our Lakes and Dams – Provided by Alabama Power Shorelines
- TVA Reservoir Information – Provided by TVA
- COE Water Management page – Provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Current Streamflows Web Links (All courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS))
- Map of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
- HUC Map: Map of daily streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
- Map (HCDN): Map of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year for HCDN sites
Note: The USGS Hydro-Climatic Data Network (HDCN) is a subset of all USGS stream gages where streamflow conditions primarily reflect climatic variations; that is, streamflow conditions are minimally affected by human disturbance. Although most of the stream gages reflect some level of human activity, total water extractions or diversions at HCDN sites are generally less than five percent of the mean annual discharge.
- Percent Summary: Times series plot of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
- Summary Table: Table of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
Below Normal 7-Day Average Streamflow
- Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year
- Plot: Time series plot of below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
- HUC Map: Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
Below Normal 14-Day Average Streamflow
- Map of below normal 14-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year
- HUC Map: Map of below normal 14-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
- Map of below normal 28-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year
- HUC Map: Map of below normal 28-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
- Map of below normal monthly average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the month of year
- HUC Map of below normal monthly streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
- USGS Streamflow Duration Hydrograph Builder: daily, 7-day, 14-day, and 28-day streamflow (enter in Site Number)
- USGS State-Based Runoff Duration Hydrograph Builder (7-day, 14-day, 28-day, monthly runoff for water years starting 1930)
- Drought Table (Retrieve Summary of 7-day Flow Conditions)
- Map Comparison (Comparison of Monthly Streamflow Maps)
- Record Low Flow Map (Map of Record Low 7-day Streamflow)
- Map Archive: Archive of streamflow maps
- Monthly Map Archive: Map of monthly-average streamflow for the month of year
- Hydrologic Unit Runoff: Computed runoff in hydrologic units
- Annual Summary By State: Table of computed runoff by water-year
- Animation Builder: Streamflow Map Animation
- Real-Time Maps By Month: Animation of daily streamflow maps
