Georgia has a history of drought problems, and as the drought in 2007 hits the history books for becoming the worst in Georgia’s history data from these previous droughts are being reviewed. The first recorded drought in the states history lasted 2 years from 1903- 1905. The drought of 1986 can be remembered for its record low rain, heat, and drought conditions. The heat from the 1986 drought reached some of the highest temperatures since weather record keeping began in 1878. As the temperatures soared, wild and domestic animals alike were affected. “For a week and a half, it has been so hot across the South that chickens in their sheds, fish in their ponds, cattle in their fields, ancient oaks in their woods and people in their homes have died of heat. The drought, now the worst in the region's history…”(Clendinen). Unfortunately for Georgia residents, the characteristics of the 1986 drought are sounding familiar as the current drought continues to stretch on.
The University of Georgia’s Automated Environmental Monitoring Network has been collecting data for the University’s climatologists and specialists as they try to decide what can be done to help the state and the Athens-Clarke county area. Stations that have been set up around the state are continuously recording atmospheric pressure and rainfall, and coordinating with the Southeast Climate Consortium, which is a gathering of state climatologists from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama (Stooksbury). What does the Southeast Climate Consortium see for the future of this drought? The climatologists believe that the drought might be here to stay for the next few months. Developments along the West Coast of a cooling in the ocean temperature has indicated that the United States might soon be experiencing the effects brought on by La Niña. La Niña influences the southeast by creating a drier cool season, which for the Southeast lasts from October to March (Stooksbury). This change in the climate from El Niño, which provides a wetter climate, to a La Niña has decreased the possibility for above average rain in the Georgia to twenty percent.
So what does this mean for the University of Georgia and what can you do to help? While the school cannot force it’s 5,000 freshmen undergraduates to comply with any rules, the school has made an effort to encourage its students to be more conservative with their water uses. Housing resident Katie Branscomb agrees with the actions the school is encouraging and says that it is “Important for students to make an individual effort so that they may help the water situation as a whole”. One helpful tip is to fill a pitcher up with water at the start of every week and to pour water from this during the day. A highlighted tip made by the University of Georgia housing department is to keep showers down to five minutes or less. On an average day a student uses around forty gallons of water taking a shower (Water Conservation Program). You will only use 12.5 gallons by reducing your shower time down to five minutes; over a large campus such as the University of Georgia this dramatic decrease will help not only the school but also the surrounding Athens-Clarke county area.
The University of Georgia is spear-heading the project in getting Athens-Clarke County motivated into taking action about the drought. While drought is not something new to the University or to the state, this year has seen historical high temperatures and decreased rainfall. With a future that isn’t foreseeing of any change in the weather or conditions, the University is gearing up its campus to conserve more water. La Niña might not be giving the state any more water in the near future, but procedures that can be enacted sooner are being made. The University of Georgia in association with the Athens-Clarke County commission has put together a “Step F” in drought restrictions for the area (County Must Hasten Action on Drought Plan). This new step in the Athens-Clarke County Drought Management Plan will outline different water allocation areas and times for the county. While “Step F” has yet to be passed by the board, the University has announced and recommended various different tips to creating a water-saving environment. On October 17 the annual rain deficit was 16.3 inches below normal. With such a deficit every UGA student needs to pay attention to the warnings and do his or her part in ensuring that the drought situation is improved in the Athens-Clarke County area.
Bibliography
Branscomb, Katie. Personal Interview. 24 October 2007.
Clendinen, Dudley. “Even the Fish Die in Streams as the Dust-Dry South Bakes.” New York Times.com 17 July 1986: Section A pg, 1. 22 October 2007
Coleridge, Samuel T. “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Electronic Text Center. 10 May 1999. Electronic Text Center. 22 October 2007.
“County Must Hasten Action on Drought Plan.” The Athens Banner-Herald 22 October 2007. 23 October 2007
Stooksbury, David. “La Nina Likely to Bring Warmer, Drier Cool Season.” Georgia Faces. 2007. University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. 21 October 2007
“Water Conservation Program.” Kent County Levy Court Department of Public Works. 2005. Kent County Levy Court. 22 October 2007.
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