Drought Assessment Webinar Summary
ACF Basin Precipitation and Climate Conditions and Outlooks
- 2020 hurricane season continues at a record pace
- Small pockets of D0 (abnormally dry) appear and disappear over the tri-state area
- Rainfall now above normal at all time scales out to 90 days
- 7-day forecast for heavy rain (3-5 inches) across northern Alabama and Georgia with remnants of TS Beta
- ”La Nina Advisory” now issued by NOAA, 80 percent chance through fall, onset of dry pattern variable from year to year
- NOAA seasonal hurricane forecast strongly favors above normal activity
- CPC 1-month forecast favors above normal rainfall in the lower ACF, 3-month forecast shows equal chances
- ACF likely to remain mostly drought-free in the short term, but watch for the onset of dry pattern
Alabama Drought Status
- Hurricane Sally made a significant impact on many areas of Alabama with historic rainfall and widespread flooding
- Will be assessing potential future impacts from La Nina conditions
- No reported water availability issues
- OWR continues to monitor conditions
Real-Time Streamflow & Forecasts
- Real-time streamflow in the ACF basin are currently in the high to much below normal range.
- The ACF basin is currently ranked as normal flow for the 7-day average streamflow.
- 28-day average streamflow for the Chattahoochee River are currently in the normal to much above normal range.
- 28-day average streamflow for the Flint River are currently in the above normal to much above normal range.
- Real-time groundwater levels across the ACF basin range from low to high, with most stations in the normal range.
- 1 Month Streamflow forecast - Normal
- 3 Month Streamflow forecast - Normal
ACF Basin Reservoir Conditions
- Inflows into the projects are returning normal following Tropical Storm Sally.
- Lanier and West Point are operating slightly above guide curve.
- WFGeorge drawn down to elevation 186 feet for upstream repairs on dam until November 1.
- Expect projects to approach guide curve over the next few weeks.
- The ACF system conservation storage is in Zone 1 and is forecasted to stay in Zone 1 for the next few weeks.
Acknowledgments
Speakers
David Zierden, FSU
Tom Littlepage, ADECA OWR
Paul Ankcorn, USGS
Troy Ephriam, USACE-Mobile District
Jeff Dobur, SERFC
Summary prepared by:
Rachel McGuire, Auburn University
Resources
General Drought Information:
Drought Impact Reporter:
Southeast Climate Perspectives Map
General Climate and El Niño Information:
Streamflow Monitoring & Forecasting
Groundwater Monitoring
The Complete Set of Briefing Slides From the ACF River Basin Drought Webinar:
Additional Information From the Southeast River Forecast Center: