NC Drought Advisory Council Update November 3, 2016

North Carolina Drought Advisory Released: November 3, 2016 by the North Carolina Drought Advisory Council

 

 

 

 

The North Carolina Drought Advisory issued by the Drought Management Advisory Council has been updated to reflect drought conditions on November 1,2016 indicated on the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina.  Until further notice, the NCDMAC strongly urges the implementation of drought response actions, for all water users located in or dependent on water resources from the areas of the state experiencing the following drought conditions:

 

(D3) Extreme drought conditions.

(D2) Severe drought conditions.

(D1) Moderate drought conditions.

(DO) Impending drought conditions (abnormally dry conditions).

County Drought Classification

 

If the US Drought Monitor of NC shows more than one drought designation in a county, the drought intensity classification for each county published by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council is the highest drought designation that applies to at least twent-five percent (25%) of the land area of a county .

Drought Classification and Response Actions

 

D3-Extreme Drought

 

The NCDMAC urgently advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map of North Carolina as suffering from Extreme Drought (D3) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:

 

All water users are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). An effective WSRP should adhere to the guidelines set forth by the water use rules during drought that became effective March 19, 2007. Water users without a written plan are advised to follow the applicable default water use reduction measures outlined in Section .0614 of the rules during extreme drought designations.

Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).

Participate in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.

Reduce socially and economically important water uses to ensure the availability of water for critical needs (e.g. firefighting, health and safety, etc.).

Revisit and/or explore, if not already accomplished, alternative water sources and reuse options.

D2-Severe Drought

 

The NCDMAC strongly advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map as suffering from Severe Drought (D2) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:

 

Implement Water Shortage Response Plans, if not already enacted.

Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).

Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.

Reexamine water delivery systems to minimize water loss and maximize water use efficiency.

Eliminate nonessential uses of water.

Evaluate the feasibility of incorporating water reuse, reclamation and/or recycling into daily operations.

Seek to reduce water usage by, at least, the same percentage as the percent differential between normal seasonal water supply availability and the actual water supply availability resulting from current drought conditions.

Increase public awareness and educational outreach programs emphasizing the need to conserve water.

D1 - Moderate Drought

The NCDMAC advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map as suffering from Moderate Drought (D1) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:

 

Adhere to local water use restrictions.

Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.

Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).

Project water needs and available water supply for a ninety- day period from the issuance of this advisory.

Assess your vulnerability to the drought conditions and adjust water usage to prolong available supply.

Inspect water delivery system components (e.g. irrigation lines, fixtures, processing equipment, water system lines, etc.), repair leaks and ensure that existing equipment is operating as efficiently as possible.

Minimize nonessential uses of water.

Implement available public awareness and educational outreach programs emphasizing the need to conserve water.

D0 - Abnormally Dry

The NCDMAC requests all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map as suffering from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to closely monitor their water supply source for diminished capacity and take precautions to prepare for impending drought conditions.

 

Review and be prepared to implement your Water Shortage Response Plans at the appropriate time.

Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.

Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).

 

D3 - Extreme Drought

Cherokee County

Clay County

Graham County

Henderson County

Macon County

Polk County

Swain County

Transylvania County

 

Total: 8

 

D2 - Severe Drought

Buncombe County

Cleveland County

Haywood County

Jackson County

Madison County

McDowell County

Rutherford County

 

Total: 7

 

D1 - Moderate Drought

Alexander County

Avery County

Burke County

Caldwell County

Catawba County

Gaston County

Lincoln County

Mitchell County

Watauga County

Yancey County

 

Total: 10

 

D0 - Abnormally Dry

Alleghany County

Ashe County

Davie County

Forsyth County

Iredell County

Mecklenburg County

Stokes County

Surry County

Wilkes County

Yadkin County

 

Total: 10