The South Carolina Drought Response Program
SC Department of Natural Resources
Land, Water, and Conservation Division
State Climatology Office
P.O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
803-734-9100
What is a drought management plan?
A drought management plan outlines a comprehensive program of action that enables
communities to recognize and deal with drought. An effective plan should be developed before
drought occurs. Planning should involve the public and appropriate Federal, State, and local
agencies to insure that it is politically, economically and socially workable. An effective plan
provides for monitoring water suppoies and uses; identifying alternative water sources, including
arranging hookups to neighboring water supplies; developing education programs and demand
reduction strategies; defining implementation and enforcement mechanisims; and outlining
review and update procedures.
How can individuals reduce the impacts of drought?
Water conservation is the practice of using water resources efficiently and protecting them from
pollution. Individual efforts to conserve water resources are essential. Good water conservation
habits start at home:
How does drought affect individuals and homeowners?
Individuals are affected by both the rising cost of water and the increasing costs of goods and
services brought on by diminishing water supplies. When a drought occurs, a limited amount of
water enters a reservoir, and only a small amount can be released through the dam to generate
power. This reduces the availability of low-cost hydroelectric power to consumers.
Severe droughts can mean reduced water available for home use. Using less water means people
must change habits and patterns of water use, which sometimes means inconveniences.
Homeowners depending on wells may find their wells going dry.
People are also affected when reduced water quality restricts use of lakes and streams for fishing,
boating, and other water-related activities.
How can the effects of drought be minimized?
We cannot control drought's occurrence, location, or duration; but we can control or manage
some of drought's impacts on our activities and communities. While drought cannot be forecast
with any degree of accuracy, communities can anticipate the potential for drought and can
develop plans to minimize its effects.
What is a drought?
Drought is a period of time with less-than-normal rainfall. No region, including South Carolina,
is immune to the possibility of drought.
Droughts are naturally occurring events. It is often difficult to determine when a drought has
begun or ended. The seriousness of a drought depends upon geographic location, weather
patterns, soils, water use patterns, and overall water quantity. The greater the demands placed on
an area's water resources, the more serious the drought. Recovery from drought may take
months or sometimes years of above average precipitation.
There are different kinds of drought. A meteorological drought occurs when
precipitation consistently falls short of average levels for periods of months or years. A
hydrological drought occurs when the amount of water needed by crops for growth
exceeds the amount available in the soil.
How much rain falls in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a warm, moderate climate with hot, humid summers. Rainfall records kept
since 1895 show the statewide average annual rainfall is near 48 inches although it has ranged
from 32 to 70 inches. Generally, the highest annual rainfall occurs in the northwestern portion
of the state with winter and early spring months being the wettest and late summer and fall months
being the driest.
Every decade since 1900 has had three or more years of below normal rainfall. The driest decade
was the 1930s followed by the 1910s and 1950s. The driest year was 1954 with a statewide average
annual rainfall of 32.06 inches followed by 2001 with 34.88 inches.
Repair all leaky faucets and be sure they are turned off tightly when not in use. Don't forget outside faucets!
Install water-saving devices in the home such as: flow-reducing faucet heads, faucet aerators, toilet dams, and pressure regulator valves.
Take short showers and do not overfill bathtubs.
Turn water off and on as needed when shaving, brushing teeth, or hand washing clothes and dishes.
Flush toilets less often.
Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.
Water gardens and lawns only as necessary between 7:00 am and 10:00 am to prevent evaporation.
Keep cold drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running cold water from the tap.
Wash cars only when necessary, and preferably at a commercial car wash with recirculating facilities.
How can individuals learn more about water resources and drought
management planning?
Many different organizations distribute information on water resources, conservation, and
drought management. Check with local utility companies, agricultural extension services, State
and local offices of public health and the environment, local water control boards, city planning
offices, local libraries, environmental groups, and Federal agencies. Citizens can obtain more
information by contacting the Drought Information Center at the S.C. Department of Natural
Resources at (803) 734-9100.
DO YOUR PART TO CONSERVE WATER!LEARN ABOUT WATER RESOURCES.SUPPORT AND BE A PART OF COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO PREPARE FOR DROUGHT!
Water can develop unpleasant tastes or smells. In some cases, public health may be threatened
by contamination of water supplies with waste products or high concentrations of bacteria and
other organisms. Costs to obtain, treat, and deliver water to consumers may increase.
Communities may even be forced to order reductions in water use by area consumers.
How does drought affect agriculture, business, and industry?
Agriculture is the first to suffer when a drought occurs. Dry weather, especially during critical
periods in crop growth, lowers yield. Consumers are affected when lower crop yields force
prices to rise.
Persistent drought can affect all business and industry. Conditions may result in scaled back
operations and even plant closings. Reduced water quality may also affect operations by
requiring additional water treatment. As water costs increase, the expense is passsed along to
consumers for goods and services.
When water levels fall, tourism and recreation-related businesses suffer. Businesses such as
marinas, fishing and boating supply outlets, and lodging facilities may experience a slow-down.
Who identifies a drought?
When less rain falls than usual, there is less water to maintain normal soil moisture, stream
flows, and reservoir levels, and to recharge ground water. Falling levels of surface water create
unattractive areas of exposed shoreline and reduce the capacity of surface waters to dilute and
carry municipal and industrial waste water. Water quality often decreases as water quantity
decreases. Reduced water quality can adversely affect fish and wildlife habitats. In addition, dry
conditions make trees more prone to insect damage and disease and increase the potential for
grass and forest fires. The longer drought conditions persist, the more severe the effects on the
environment.
How does drought affect communities?
People are affected both directly and indirectly by reductions in the quantity and/or quality of
water resources. Drought may affect the ability of a community to supply safe, clean, ample
water to its residents, institutions, commercial businesses, and industries.
For More Information Contact:
S.C. Department of Natural Resources
Land, Water & Conservation Division
State Climate Office
1000 Assembly Street
P.O Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
(803)734-9100
SOUTH CAROLINA DNR REGIONS
REGIONAL OFFICES
Region 1 - Piedmont - Clemson
311 Natural Resources Driver
Clemson, SC 29631
(8864) 654-1671
Region 2 - Catawba - Pee Dee - Florence
295 South Evander Drive
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 661-4766
Region 3 - Central - Columbia
1000 Assembly Street
P.O Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 734-9100
Region 4 - Coastal - Charleston
217 Ft. Johnson Road
P.O Box 12559
Charleston, SC 29422
(843) 843-953-9334
