2007 Drought Planning Fact Sheet

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COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD Departtnent of Natural Resources Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor Harris D. Sherman, DNR Executive Director Dan McAuliffe, CWCB Acting Director June 2007 DROUGHT MITIGATION PLANNING FACT SHEET . Based on long-term weather station records, at least 50/0 of the state is experiencing drought on 3-24 month timescales almost all the time. ("Water in the Balance", 2000) . Colorado has suffered and will continue to struggle with the impacts of a multiyear drought. Much of the potential for drought mitigation requites extensive planning and preparation long before impacts are realized. . The severity of the 2000-03 drought eclipsed many of the records established during 20th century droughts. . Drought is a continuing aspect of Colorado's climate. Despite good science applied for understanding drought, the only certain is that drought will come again. . As Colorado's climate results in warmer temperatures, projected impacts include the following: Smaller snowpacks, earlier snow melt, Flood-control releases, extreme flood events, more evaporation & dryness, less groundwater, more droughts, more wildfltes and water quality challenges. . Drought has far-reaching impacts at an economic and individual level and across the local community as well. . The effects of Colorado's most recent drought resulted in millions of dollars lost in agriculture, tourism and recreation. Losses in each sector result in negative impacts on the entire State. . Colorado needs to plan for "the inevitable major droughts of the future" as the population and economic bases grow. Careful stewardship of Colorado's water supplies will be mandatory. What is Drought? . Drought is a shortage of water associated with a deficiency of precipitation, and occurs when a normal amount of moisture is unavailable to satisfy an area's usual water consumption. . According to the Glossary of Meteorology, drought is defined as "a period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently long enough to cause a serious hydrological imbalance." . Drought should not be viewed as merely a physical phenomenon or natural event. Its impacts on society result from the interplay between a natural event Oess precipitation than expected resulting from natural climatic variability) and the demand people place on water supply. Colorado Drought Facts: Why Plan for Drought? Lake Granby Marina- Photo taken by William E. Green For more information contact Veva McCaig at the CWCB at (303) 866-3339. 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721, Denver, CO 80203 Phone: (303) 866-3441. Fax: (303) 866-4474 Website : www.cwcb.state.co.us