The 2007–09 drought in Athens, GA: a climatological analysis and an assessment of future water availability

During 2007-09, an extreme drought event occurred in the Athens, Georgia region (Clarke, Barrow, Oconee, Jackson Counties). An examination of drought indices and precipitation records indicates that conditions during this period were similar to, but no more severe than, droughts during 1925-27, 1954-56 and 1985-87. In addition, a drought of similar length would be expected to occur approximately every 25 years. Streamflow analysis shows that discharge levels in area streams were at record lows during 2007 before water restrictions were implemented, because of greater water usage caused by recent population increases. These population increases, combined with a lack of water conservation, led to severe water shortages during late 2007. Only after per capita usage decreased did water resources last despite continuing drought conditions through 2009. Based on analysis of per capita water usage and population trend estimates for the region, the only way to prevent similar water shortages during future extreme drought events is to maintain withdrawal levels achieved after conservation efforts and water restrictions were put into place in late 2007.