CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 08/29/01

Drought Becomes Visible Again in Georgia

A dry August has allowed Georgia's long-running drought to become visible again as pastures, row crops, lawns and gardens suffer from lack of water.

While above-normal rains in June allowed the state to emerge from an agricultural drought (a short-term water deficit), Georgia remained in a hydrological drought, or a negative long-term water balance. There is little hope of statewide, long-term relief until winter.

As the hydrological drought persists, Georgia is on the verge of returning to an agricultural drought, too. The drought that started in May 1998 had been virtually invisible during June and July. Above-normal rains in June and timely rains in July had allowed for lush summer plant growth.

Real Impacts Hidden

But all those green plants were hiding the real impacts of the drought: low soil-moisture supplies, groundwater levels and lake levels at Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell.

Most places across the state have had only about half their normal August rainfall. Through Aug. 28, the month's rainfall deficits in north Georgia include Athens at 2.84 inches, Atlanta 2.61, Blairsville 1.46, Calhoun 1.42, Dallas 1.69, Duluth 0.91, Dunwoody 1.59, Ellijay 0.56, Gainesville 0.40, Rome 1.81 and Watkinsville 1.58.

Across middle Georgia, the deficits include Augusta at 2.85 inches, Columbus 1.78, Cordele 2.54, Dearing 1.89, Eatonton 2.29 and Griffin 2.74.

And in south Georgia, August rainfall deficits include Alma at 1.53 inches, Brunswick 1.21, Camilla 0.49, Newton 2.55, Plains 1.17, Savannah 4.32, Statesboro 3.68, Tifton 2.55, Valdosta 2.49 and Vidalia 2.28.
Soil-Moisture Losses

More important than the rainfall deficits is the actual loss of moisture from the soils. Soils lose moisture through evaporation and transpiration (plant water use).

Since Aug. 1 (with soil-moisture losses since July 1 in parentheses), soil-moisture losses in north Georgia include Blairsville at 1.91 inches (4.24), Calhoun 2.81 (2.44), Dallas 2.40 (4.30), Duluth 2.02 (0.77), Dunwoody 2.36 (3.66), Ellijay 1.00 (2.93), Gainesville 1.75 (0.31), Rome 2.35 (5.14) and Watkinsville 3.22 (0.73).

In middle Georgia since Aug. 1 (since July 1), soil-moisture losses include Cordele at 4.17 inches (8.22 inches), Dearing 2.45 (5.94), Eatonton 3.39 (4.38) and Griffin 4.03 (8.94).

And in south Georgia since Aug. 1 (since July 1) soil-moisture losses include Alma at 1.12 inches (2.44), Brunswick 0.41 (2.51), Camilla 1.46 (4.48), Newton 3.63 (6.68), Plains 2.31 (4.94), Savannah Bamboo Farm 3.66 (5.07), Statesboro 4.34 (2.65), Tifton 3.63 (6.68), Valdosta 1.90 (3.57) and Vidalia 2.89 (4.92).

Relief Not in Sight

There is little hope for long-term relief during the next three months. September through November is historically Georgia's driest period.

Without rainfall from tropical weather, there is little chance that the state will receive enough widespread beneficial rain to end both the hydrological drought and the impending agricultural drought.

A wetter than normal winter is the best hope for Georgia to emerge from the long-term drought.

Pam Knox is the director of the UGA Weather Network and serves as an agricultural climatologist with the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.

David Emory Stooksbury is associate professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.
Pam Knox
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners 10/25/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio’s Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world.