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Plannin g for Drought Draft Colorado Water Conservation Board May 2000 411) Colorado's climate is relatively dry and extremely variable. Annual precipitation averages only 17 inches statewide. It varies from a high of Bill Owens • 55 inches in a few isolated high-mountain locations Governor to a low of 6 inches in some valleys. Compared to Greg E.Watcher the rest of the United States, the level of DNR Executive Director precipitation in Colorado is meager. A study of Peter H.Evans historical dry and wet periods in Colorado by the CWCB Director Colorado Climate Center at CSU identified five Dan McAuliffe significantly severe statewide droughts from the CWCB Deputy Director instrumental record over the last century. The last significant multi-year drought in Colorado ended in 1978. The last two decades have seen the most reliable precipitation since before the "dust bowl" of less than the people, animals and plants in a region the 1930's, but a severe, sustained drought will are accustomed to enjoy. As Colorado continues to occur again. It is only a question of how often, how grow, and as we approach the "fully appropriated" dry, and how long. situation in every major river basin, survival during Average Annual Precipitation drought will require increasingly greater planning olorado and preparation to assure the long-term continuation of our lifestyle and economy. Without such Irg�„g,� = V.ditN LI advance planning, some hardships or regrettable ■Ilro t5 • 35 ea a j 111 •Ifo2 • 5f o55 /�'_Y- trade-offs will occur. ■25:30 •Rtow SS 71 r`lik UM 30:35 • „r Pnba:19611990 1a t. 1 Drought Ern.W l+hen.ppeprl.b)DSDA.NRR F4. "eV? aw .p 0 "WWWwe,, Water Drought ..o oq wl r, quantity SOPP\ w nwwcm... Use 13/RrV9 ems Drought is a shortage of water, usually Source:Yalio,ol So dy of Water Management During Drought The Report to aho U.S.Coagre0a.1995. associated with a deficiency of precipitation. Drought occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available supply of water. The severity of Drought is a unique natural hazard. Drought drought depends on the magnitude of the differs from other natural hazards in that it usually deficiencies compared to historic averages, the has a slow onset, develops over months or even aerial extent or size of the area impacted, and the years, affects a large spatial region, and causes little duration. structural damage. It usually has no clear beginning or end. The impacts of drought span a broad range "Drought" is a concept that cannot be easily of economic, environmental, and social sectors. defined except in the context of a specific region However, like other natural hazards, drought's and a set of needs or expectations. Generally, it is a impacts can be reduced through mitigation and period of time (months, years, decades) during preparedness. It just takes more foresight, advance which the availability of water is significantly planning, and discipline than other types of hazards. 1