A Summary of Drought Conditions:
from the December 10, 2019
The ACF Basin contains D0 and D1 according to the most current U.S. Drought Monitor  (as of 12/3/2019).  

Our next briefing will be Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 1 pm ET. 

Current Drought Status


Approximately 28.18% of the ACF Basin is in D1 (Moderate Drought), and 20.83% is in D0 (Abnormally Dry) according to the most current  U.S. Drought Monitor (as of 10/22/2019).
  
50.99% of the ACF Basin is not under dry nor drought conditions.

Statewide Average Temp. Ranks Since 1895
 
For every state in the Southeast, 2019 was one of the 10th warmest years on record since 1895 (AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN). Georgia and Florida experienced their warmest year EVER in 2019.

30-Day Rainfall Totals

The past 30 days have provided some, but not much rainfall in the ACF Basin, with the upper basin receiving the most rainfall with 3-5 inches, much of the middle ACF received 2-3 inches and the lower ACF and the FL panhandle received 0.5-1.5 inches).

Real-time Streamflow


Real-time streamflows in the ACF basin are currently in the normal to much below normal range.

Chattahoochee River Near Cornelia
28-Day Average Streamflows



28-day average streamflow for the Chattahoochee River are currently in the normal range.

28-day average streamflow for the Flint River are currently normal, with the exception of the Flint River near Griffin, which is currently ranked as below normal.

28-day average streamflow for the Apalachicola River are currently in the normal range.

(for more info:  http://waterwatch.usgs.gov )

Real-Time Groundwater Conditions

Previous Brief                                    Current Brief



Real-time groundwater levels range from normal to much below normal across the ACF Basin.  ( http://waterwatch.usgs.gov )

Southeast Winter Streamflow

The winter season is approaching and that generally means an increase in streamflow for most of the Southeast. This increase in streamflow is a result of increased precipitation across the most of the region as well as more efficient runoff due to the mostly dormant vegetation. The threat for river flooding increases during the winter and early spring across most of the Southeast. Many reservoirs lower their pools to allow for flood storage at this time.

The exception is across the Florida Peninsula which generally enters its dry season.   Streamflows across this region tend to fall off from the late summer wet period and early fall tropical season and do not ramp up until the summer wet season begins in June.

ACF Reservoir Conditions

(as of 12/9/2019) 

Inflows into all USACE ACF Basin projects are continuing to be low, but approaching normal levels. Lanier and W.F. George are below the guide curve, but are continuing to meet downstream minimum flow requirements.  The ACF system conservation storage is in Zone 1 and is expected to remain in Zone 1 over the next few weeks.
Drought Assessment Webinar Summary
 
ACF Basin Precipitation and Climate Conditions and Outlooks
  • 2019 year-to-date temperature the warmest on record, rainfall a mixed bag
  • Drought improvement has slowed, lower ACF remains in moderate drought, pockets of North Georgia in severe drought
  • Dry week, only fractions of an inch of rainfall over all portions of the ACF
  • Rainfall deficits remain over the upper and lower ACF of 4-6 inches at 90 days
  • Unsettled weather forecast for the next week, greater rainfall amounts over the upper ACF
  • Neutral conditions in the Pacific, forecast to continue through winter
  • CPC seasonal forecast (Nov. - Jan.) favors higher chances for warm temperature across the US, equal chances for rainfall
     
  • Drought improvement has slowed, especially in the lower ACF and Florida Panhandle
State of Alabama Input
  • Continuing rainfall has provided significant relief resulting in removal of all D3 and D2 areas
  • Cooler temperatures moving into fall will help this improvement process
  • Statewide and upstream reservoirs in good shape
  • OWR continues to monitor conditions
Real-Time Streamflow & Forecasts
  • Real-time streamflow in the ACF basin are currently in the normal to much below normal range.
  • Portions of the Flint River basin are currently ranked as below normal flow for the 7-day average.
  • 28-day average streamflow for the Chattahoochee River are currently in the normal range.
  • 28-day average streamflow for the Flint River are currently normal, with the exception of Flint River near Griffin which is currently ranked as below normal.
  • Real-time groundwater levels range from normal to much below normal across the ACF Basin.
  • 1 Month Streamflow forecast - Near  Normal
     
  • 3 Month Streamflow forecast - Near Normal
ACF Basin Reservoir Conditions
  • Inflows into the projects are continuing to be low, but approaching normal levels
  • Lanier and W.F. George are below guide curve
  • West Point is operating above guide curve; project to approach guide curve over the next few weeks
  • Continuing to meet downstream minimum flow requirements
  • 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
Paul Ankcorn, USGS
Jeff Dobur, SERFC
 
Additional Content Provided by:
Tom Littlepage, ADECA OWR
Troy Ephriam, USACE-Mobile District

Summary prepared by Rachel McGuire, Auburn University 

Resources

General Drought Information:

Drought Impact Reporter:

Southeast Climate Perspectives Map

General Climate and El NiƱo 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:

To join or for webinar-related questions, please contact: 
Rachel McGuire rem@auburn.edu 334 844 1163