A summary of drought conditions based on the
Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin
Drought Assessment Webinar on 
June 12, 2018
 

Auburn University Water Resources Center and the 

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
Join Our Mailing List
Webinar Sponsors







Like us on Facebook


Follow us on Twitter
The upper ACF is currently drought free according to the most current US Drought Monitor (as of 06/07/2018).     

Our next briefing will be Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 1 pm ET. 

Current Drought Status
 
 
All the ACF is drought free according to the most current US Drought Monitor (as of 05/07/2018). 
Percent of normal precipitation over the past 90 days

        
Above normal rainfall departures over the ACF basin. Portions of the middle and lower ACF with departures from normal rainfall over 10 inches 

Official NOAA 3-Month Outlook
 

According to the most recent NOAA 3-month Precipitation Probability Outlook, the probability of precipitation in the southeastern U.S. and the ACF is for above normal over the rest of the summer. 
        
        
Realtime Streamflow
                
      
Realtime streamflows across the ACF basin are mostly in the above normal range.  ( http://waterwatch.usgs.gov )
 
Flint River at Albany Streamflow
   

Streamflow for the Flint River at Albany is currently in the much above normal range, with similar levels at  Bainbridge, Griffin, Carsonville and Chattahoochee river at West Point, Columbus, cornelia, Atlanta, Chestatee, and Whitesburg. Flint river near Griffin is currently at normal range. 
(for more info:  http://waterwatch.usgs.gov ).

Groundwater Conditions

                 Previous Brief:                                 Current Brief:
       
          
 
Groundwater conditions are in the normal ranges for the lower ACF Basin. ( http://waterwatch.usgs.gov ).



One Month Mean Daily Streamflow Forecast

 
The 1-Month Mean Daily Streamflow forecast from the Southeast River Forecast Center predicts above-normal flows for the ACF basin.



Lake Lanier Water Level


Lake Lanier level  is currently above the top of conservation line. The forecast indicate levels are likely to maintain above this line for the next two weeks.


ACF Basin Composite Conservation and Flood Storage


The ACF System Conservation Storage is in top of conservation line and is forecasted to maintain in this line (orange line) over the next few weeks.
 


ACF 28-Day Crop Moisture Stress Update 


The GRIDSSAT- crop model update shows reduced levels of water stress in the ACF Basin.
 
Drought Assessment Webinar Summary
 
*ACF Basin totally drought-free.  

*Subtropical storm Alberto brought widespread rainfall to the region, and contributed to the current climate conditions.

*Rainfall much above normal over the last 30 days, as much as 10 inches above normal in Northeast Georgia and South Florida.

*Above normal rainfall over the last 90 days.

*Enhanced rainfall predicted in the next 7 days over western Gulf and northern Gulf Coast.

*Neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean, forecast for late summer/fall uncertain.

*Climate Prediction Center official forecast (April-June) favors warmer than normal temperature and higher chances of above normal precipitation.

*With neutral or possible El Niño forecast and cool SST's, season hurricane forecast normal to below normal.

*Real-time streamflow in the ACF basin are currently in the low to high range.
 
*28-day average streamflow at Chattahoochee River at Cornelia, and Chestatee River at Dahlonega are currently in the much above normal range.

*28-day average streamflow for the Chattahoochee River below Lake Lanier are currently in above normal to much above normal range.

* 28-day average streamflow for the Flint River are currently in the normal to much above normal range.

* Groundwater levels range from much below normal to above normal across the ACF Basin.

 
*The Southeast River Forecast Center's 1 month streamflow forecast above-normal flows for the ACF Basin.  

*The 3 month streamflow forecasts favor near normal flows. However there is a trend to below normal in the Flint River based on medium and long range outlooks.

*Note, streamflow forecast pie charts do not directly include any adjustments to the ESP forecast based on ENSO, CPC or other factors, but are  based on soil conditions relative to normal in concert with historical precipitation.
 
*All reservoir elevations are currently at or above guide curve. 
 
*Continuing to meet downstream flow requirements for water quality and water supply.
 
*The ACF system conservation storage is in top of conservation and is forecasted to maintain constant over the next few weeks.

*The current low rainfall levels in the middle and upper ACF is starting to be reflected in the short-term crop stress.

* Long-term stress is not apparent yet, but could be noticeable in the near-future. 

Acknowledgments and Resources:
  • David Zierden, FSU
  • Paul Ankorn, USGS
  • Jeff Dobur, SERFC
  • Cameron Handyside, UAH
  • Cynthia Donald, US ACE
Summary prepared by Sandra Guzmán, Auburn University  
 
General drought information

General climate and El Niño information

Streamflow monitoring & forecasting
 

Groundwater monitoring

The complete set of briefing slides from this briefing can be found at: http://drought.gov/drought/content/regional-programs/regional-drought-webinars    

Additional information can be found at the Southeast River Forecast Center's Water Resources Outlook:  
  
Experimental Long-Range River Flood Risk