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Planning for Drought <br /> Draft <br /> Colorado Water Conservation Board May 2000 : <br /> Colorado's climate is relatively dry and <br /> extremely variable. Annual precipitation averages <br /> only 17 inches statewide. It varies from a high of <br /> Bill Owens <br /> • 55 inches in a few isolated high-mountain locations Governor <br /> to a low of 6 inches in some valleys. Compared to <br /> Greg E.Welcher <br /> the rest of the United States, the level of DNR Executive Director <br /> precipitation in Colorado is meager. A study of <br /> Peter I-I.Evans <br /> historical dry and wet periods in Colorado by the CWCB Director <br /> Colorado Climate Center at CSU identified five <br /> significantly severe statewide droughts from the Dan McAuliffe <br /> g y $ CWCB Deputy Director <br /> instrumental record over the last century. The last <br /> significant multi-year drought in Colorado ended in <br /> 1978. The last two decades have seen the most <br /> reliable precipitation since before the "dust bowl" of less than the people, animals and plants in a region <br /> the 1930's, but a severe, sustained drought will are accustomed to enjoy. As Colorado continues to <br /> occur again. It is only a question of how often, how grow, and as we approach the "fully appropriated" <br /> dry, and how long. situation in every major river basin, survival during <br /> Average Annual Precipitation drought will require increasingly greater planning <br /> and preparation to assure the long-term continuation <br /> ► : �= of our lifestyle and economy. Without such <br /> , , advance planning, some hardships or regrettable <br /> ■uad r m ■3010 <br /> ■10ro15 •15to45 101045 trade-offs will occur.to 50 <br /> 15.25 •▪3g toga .50w55 K �r' �( Ai <br /> ▪ 25 toga■ 30 to 35 ■Ibowss 0.r l..`= 7,` a <br /> OM <br /> Drought <br /> SN°rkl <br /> ESSii"ESTE" <br /> D.1ywd W.fR6M \� <br /> grcnw WetrlEdeJ hom whkh ` �' <br /> vra•�� �aman« ..a .. water <br /> Drought <br /> fmar tte rnf:g.ee n p.SxmW'gL.s Uw n NR 6mIN..Y.md".i ' {• l`[ <br /> Drou <br /> ht <br /> � i AA qu.ntig Water cum Cente tenor <br /> Ufae <br /> thee. <br /> Drought is a shortage of water, usually <br /> Source:National Study of Water Management During Drought.The Report to the D.S.Cuagrraa.0995. <br /> associated with a deficiency of precipitation. <br /> Drought occurs when the demand for water exceeds <br /> the available supply of water. The severity of Drought is a unique natural hazard. Drought <br /> drought depends on the magnitude of the differs from other natural hazards in that it usually <br /> deficiencies compared to historic averages, the has a slow onset, develops over months or even <br /> aerial extent or size of the area impacted, and the years, affects a large spatial region, and causes little <br /> duration. structural damage. It usually has no clear beginning <br /> or end. The impacts of drought span a broad range <br /> "Drought" is a concept that cannot be easily of economic, environmental, and social sectors. <br /> defined except in the context of a specific region However, like other natural hazards, drought's <br /> and a set of needs or expectations. Generally, it is a impacts can be reduced through mitigation and <br /> period of time (months, years, decades) during preparedness. It just takes more foresight, advance <br /> which the availability of water is significantly planning, and discipline than other types of hazards. <br /> 1 <br />