South Carolina Current Drought Status

State Climate Office                
NEWS RELEASE          DNR News 803-667-0696
August 19, 1998

MODERATE DROUGHT DECLARED FOR ALLCOUNTIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

For previously issued drought statements see the archived status reports.

Although widespread showers helped to relieve the dry conditions across most of the State this past week, some areas still need additional precipitation. Several locations received rainfall in excess of five inches this past weekend while others reported less than a quarter of an inch. Indices by which drought is measured show that 15% of South Carolina continues to experience moderate drought conditions with 40% of the state in the mild drought category as of August 15, 1998. The South Carolina Agricultural Statistics Service reported that soil moisture ended last week at 8% very short, 24% short, 65% adequate, and 3% surplus.

The widespread showers have alleviated the moderate drought conditions for most counties except those in the west central and parts of the southern region where rainfall has remained limited (see Rainfall Summary Table below). Therefore, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has downgraded the moderate declaration to an incipient drought for all counties except Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Saluda. The moderate drought declaration remains in effect for these counties. The four levels of drought severity and respective responses as defined by the South Carolina Drought Response Act of 1985 are:

Incipient - SCDNR increases monitoring activities.

Moderate - The drought is such that voluntary reductions in water use are normally encouraged. In addition to notification, the SCDNR activates the Drought Information Center and issues news releases concerning drought conditions.

Severe - The drought is such that the Drought Response Committee (DRC) may recommend that water suppliers implement voluntary or mandatory water use restrictions. SCDNR responses may also include non-binding mediation of water disputes.

Extreme - The drought is such the DRC may recommend that the Governor impose mandatory water use restrictions on all affected people. SCDNR responses continue in the same manner as above.

Despite the varying levels of drought severity, water supplies across the State are stable. Streamflows and lake elevations reflect the rainfall conditions with low streamflows in the west central and southern portions of the state. Streamflows in the drier areas are less than 25% of the average August historical flow. River flow will continue to decrease without precipitation. Low flows impact fish and wildlife, water withdrawals, and water quality.

The SCDNR's Land, Water & Conservation Division will continue to monitor and assess drought-related variables such as temperature, precipitation, streamflow, ground-water levels, reservoir levels, soil moisture, and public water supplies. The department will publish the appropriate notices in the affected areas. Mayors, county administrators, public service districts and local water suppliers are asked to keep their drought ordinances activated. Integrated drought information is available on the DNR's

Contact Dr. Mizzell in Columbia at (803) 734-9568 or e-mail at mizzellh@dnr.sc.gov for more information.

DNR protects and manages South Carolina's natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state's natural resources and its people. Find out more about DNR at the DNR Web site.

Find out more about the State Climatology Office at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or by calling (803) 734-9100.