Report (ADR), (U.S
Summary of Hydrologic Conditions in Georgia, 2008 The United States Geological and new historic minimum flows were Survey (USGS) Georgia Water Science recorded at several streamgages with Center (WSC) maintains a long-term 20 or more years of record. New historic hydrologic monitoring network of more low water levels were recorded in some than 290 real-time streamgages, more of Georgia’s confined and unconfined than 170 groundwater wells, and 10 lake aquifers, and many recorded water levels and reservoir monitoring stations. One of were below the historic median. Several the many benefits of data collected from lake and reservoir water levels were well this monitoring network is that analysis below average and continued to decline as of the data provides an overview of the the end of the 2008 WY approached. hydrologic conditions of rivers, creeks, Historically, droughts in Georgia Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia. Photo by Brian E. McCallum, USGS, February 2008. reservoirs, and aquifers in Georgia. typically have lasted between 2 and Hydrologic conditions are determined 5 years. The latest drought began in spring by statistical analysis of data collected 2006. Georgia’s Drought Level One Local governments asked residents to limit during the current water year1 (WY) and through Four are issued by the Georgia showers to 5 minutes or less, reuse clean comparison of the results to historical data Environmental Protection Division household water, and install low-flow collected at long-term stations. During (Regan and Cash, 2009). The drought toilets, faucets, and showerheads, if the drought that persisted through 2008, levels implement water saving techniques possible, in older homes (City of Union the USGS succeeded in verifying and with Level One Drought being the least City, 2008).
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