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<br />r <br /> <br />.. <br />~ <br /> <br />Drought <br />The CWCB defines drought as a prolonged period of abnormally low precipitation and when . <br />demand for water exceeds supply. Drought may have widespread significance that occurs <br />citywide, countywide, statewide or even regionally. Drought is a condition, not a single event <br />(unlike a flood) and usually does not have a distinct start or end. A drought of some magnitude <br />occurs nearly every year somewhere in Colorado. We are now entering into the fourth year of <br />below average precipitation statewide, with this year appearing to be the worst. <br /> <br />CWCB's Response to Drought <br />The various programs and drought related actions that the CWCB maintains, as defined in the <br />Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan, include: <br /> <br />.. Provide leadership to and participate in the state's various drought task forces <br />(including Water Availability Task Force, Impact Task Forces, Review and Reporting <br />Task Force, and Interagency Coordinating Group) <br /> <br />.. Support and improve water availability monitoring, including securing funding for <br />stream gage improvements <br /> <br />.. Increase public awareness and education regarding drought and water conservation <br />through development of fact sheets, press releases and maintenance of a web site <br /> <br />Develop means to augment water supply: <br /> <br />.. Facilitate private/public partnerships (with Department of Local Affairs) to augment local . <br />water supplies <br /> <br />.. Fu~er research of weather modification programs <br /> <br />.. Explore (with State Engineers Office) feasibility of water supply banking technologies and <br />methodologies <br /> <br />.. Provide funding for water system improvements <br /> <br />Facilitate watershed and local planning <br />.. Conduct workshops on developing local drought plans <br />.. Develop risk-based assessments of water systems by basin <br /> <br />Support efforts to reduce water demand and encourage conservation <br />.. Support local development of conservation programs <br />.. Develop additional computer aided decision support systems with State Engineers Office <br /> <br />Help support methods to reduce drought impacts <br />.. Support Department of Agriculture in conducting local workshops <br />.. Aid State Engineers Office in resolving emerging water use conflicts <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />5/10/2002 <br /> <br />2 of 3 <br />