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Drought Information

A pattern of below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures over the past few months led the S.C. Department of Natural Resources to issue an incipient drought declaration on July 9, 2010. Incipient is the lowest of the four state drought levels, followed by moderate, severe and extreme status. During incipient drought, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) activates the Drought Information Center and increases monitoring and notification of the drought status.

According to S.C. State Climatologist Dr. Hope Mizzell, the decision to upgrade was driven by the dry weather's impact on agriculture and increased wildfire activity. "After many sites experienced the wettest winter since 1998, we were optimistic that maybe finally we would get an extended break from the drought, but beginning in April the rainfall pattern changed." Below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures since June 1 have contributed to this condition. From June 1 to July 8, Greenville/Spartanburg recorded only 1.6" total rainfall, or 31% of normal.

David Tompkins, S.C. Department of Agriculture, emphasized the dry weather coupled with the high heat is a concern to the farm community. Darryl Jones, S.C. Forestry Commission, reported that dry conditions and intense heat have resulted in an increase in wildfire activity across the state. "Since July 1, the Forestry Commission has responded to more than 30 wildfires and we have experienced some control problems because the fuels are getting very dry."

According to Mark Malsick, DNR Severe Weather Liaison, the computer models are showing the possibility of relief with scattered afternoon and evening rain showers this weekend and again in the middle of next week. Rainfall amounts and coverage are expected to be limited, but a few cells could drop over an inch of rain over a very short period. This type of uneven rainfall is typical for South Carolina in July.

Careful management of our water supply is essential to our community under all conditions, drought or normal. At this time, Spartanburg Water’s supply reservoirs continue to be near full pool, and holding steady at normal levels for the season. Spartanburg water is managing the supply by controlling downstream releases from the reservoirs in accordance with our SCDHEC permit conditions.

We will continue to manage this precious resource wisely, and, while we are not advocating any usage restrictions at this time, we encourage you to make basic water conservation practices a normal part of your everyday life. There are many tips for saving water throughout our conservation section. Remember, every drop counts.

For more information on the drought, visit these sites:

South Carolina Drought Status
US Drought Monitor
Weather Predictions
US Drought Information

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