Water Utilities
Drought can result in significant operational impacts to water utilities, including a loss of water supply and poor source water quality. Building drought resilience for water utilities means increasing their ability to respond to water supply threats, withstand impacts from drought, and quickly recover when drought does occur.
This map shows 1-day average streamflow conditions for yesterday compared to historical conditions for the same day of the year. Both 1-day and historical streamflow values are calculated as mean discharge (cubic feet per second) over a 24-hour period. Only streamgages with 30 or more years of data are included in this map.
Click on a streamgage to view current data from the U.S. Geological Survey. These streamflow data are provisional and subject to revision.
River forecast data from the National Weather Service's National Water Prediction Service (NWPS) provide valuable information about the chances of flood occurring. These river stage/flow forecasts show the maximum forecast flood category, taking into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
This map shows the amount of liquid precipitation (in inches) expected to fall over the next 7 days, according to the National Weather Service.
Periods of drought can lead to inadequate water supply, threatening the health, safety, and welfare of communities. Streamflow, groundwater, reservoir, and snowpack data are key to monitoring and forecasting water supply.
Learn MoreDrought can alter the ecological balance of natural systems and harm fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as the benefits that these ecosystems provide to human communities. The environmental consequences of drought include losses in plant growth; increases in fire and insect outbreaks; altered rates of carbon, nutrient, and water cycling; and local species extinctions.
Learn MoreBecause energy and water are so interdependent, the availability and predictability of water resources can directly affect energy systems. Energy professionals need information on current drought conditions and outlooks in order to make informed decisions on cooling, alternative water supplies, pricing, and infrastructure security.
Learn MoreDuring drought conditions that result in low water levels on rivers and other waterways, port and maritime navigation and transportation operations may be limited due to a reduction in available routes and cargo-carrying capacity, resulting in increased costs. In addition, higher temperatures that often coexist with drought can impact roads, airport runways, and rail lines.
Learn MorePeriods of drought can lead to inadequate water supply, threatening the health, safety, and welfare of communities. Streamflow, groundwater, reservoir, and snowpack data are key to monitoring and forecasting water supply.
Learn MoreExtreme weather events can interact or cascade—where one disaster event triggers or changes the probability of another event. For example, drought conditions can increase the probability of large-scale wildfires, and droughts are often accompanied by extreme heat. By including drought in multi-hazard planning, a community can consolidate its resources and develop coordinated responses before a disaster.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreDuring drought conditions that result in low water levels on rivers and other waterways, port and maritime navigation and transportation operations may be limited due to a reduction in available routes and cargo-carrying capacity, resulting in increased costs. In addition, higher temperatures that often coexist with drought can impact roads, airport runways, and rail lines.
Learn MoreDrought is defined as the lack of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually for a season or more, that results in a water shortage. Changes in precipitation can substantially disrupt crops and livestock, influence the frequency and intensity of severe weather events, and affect the quality and quantity of water available for municipal and industrial use.
Learn MoreFlash drought is the rapid onset or intensification of drought. Unlike slow-evolving drought, which is caused by a decline in precipitation, flash drought occurs when low precipitation is accompanied by abnormally high temperatures, high winds, and/or changes in radiation. These sometimes-rapid changes can quickly raise evapotranspiration rates and remove available water from the landscape.
Learn MoreDrought can reduce the water availability and water quality necessary for productive farms, ranches, and grazing lands, resulting in significant negative direct and indirect economic impacts to the agricultural sector. Monitoring agricultural drought typically focuses on examining levels of precipitation, evaporative demand, soil moisture, and surface/groundwater quantity and quality.
Learn MoreStreamflow Conditions
Record Mean Daily Low
Estimated streamflow is the lowest mean daily value recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Much Below Normal (<10th Percentile)
Estimated streamflow is in the 0–10th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Below Normal (10th–25th Percentile)
Estimated streamflow is in the 10th–25th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Normal (25th–75th Percentile)
Estimated streamflow is in the 25th–75th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Above Normal (75th–90th Percentile)
Estimated streamflow is in the 75th–90th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Much Above Normal (>90th Percentile)
Estimated streamflow is in the 90th–100th percentile of historical streamflow values recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Record Mean Daily High
Estimated streamflow is the highest mean daily value ever measured at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Not Ranked
A flow category has not been computed for this gauge, for example due to insufficient historical data or no current streamflow estimates.
Maximum Forecast River Stage
Major Flood
According to the National Weather Service, the Major Flood stage indicates "extensive inundation of structures and roads, significant evacuations of people, and/or transfer of property to higher elevations."
Moderate Flood
According to the National Weather Service, the Moderate Flood stage indicates "some inundation of structures and roads near stream, evacuations of people, and/or transfer of property to higher elevations."
Minor Flood
According to the National Weather Service, the Minor Flood stage indicates flooding with "minimal or no property damage, but possible some public threat (e.g., inundation of roads)."
Action Stage
When a location on the river hits the Action Stage, water levels have reached a height where "action is taken in preparation for possible significant hydrological activity," according to the National Weather Service.
No Flood
According to the National Weather Service, no flooding is indicated.
Low Water
According to the National Weather Service, the Low Water Threshold is the stage at which "low water levels begin to have significant negative impacts on a water-related industry or user community."
Predicted Inches of Precipitation
Less than 0.01 inch
0.01 to 0.1 inch
0.1 to 0.25 inch
0.25 to 0.5 inch
0.5 to 0.75 inch
0.75 to 1 inch
1 to 1.25 inches
1.25 to 1.5 inches
1.5 to 1.75 inches
1.75 to 2 inches
1.5 to 2 inches
2 to 2.5 inches
2.5 to 3 inches
3 to 4 inches
4 to 5 inches
5 to 7 inches
7 to 10 inches
10 to 15 inches
15 to 20 inches
More than 20 inches
This map shows 1-day average streamflow conditions for yesterday compared to historical conditions for the same day of the year. Both 1-day and historical streamflow values are calculated as mean discharge (cubic feet per second) over a 24-hour period. Only streamgages with 30 or more years of data are included in this map.
Click on a streamgage to view current data from the U.S. Geological Survey. These streamflow data are provisional and subject to revision.
River forecast data from the National Weather Service's National Water Prediction Service (NWPS) provide valuable information about the chances of flood occurring. These river stage/flow forecasts show the maximum forecast flood category, taking into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
This map shows the amount of liquid precipitation (in inches) expected to fall over the next 7 days, according to the National Weather Service.
This map updates daily on Drought.gov, showing mean daily streamflow values from the previous day. View the most recent real-time streamflow data from USGS.
River gauge forecasts from the National Weather Service are updated daily.
The Quantitative Precipitation Forecast maps on Drought.gov are updated once a day and are valid from 7 a.m. Eastern that day.
Periods of drought can lead to inadequate water supply, threatening the health, safety, and welfare of communities. Streamflow, groundwater, reservoir, and snowpack data are key to monitoring and forecasting water supply.
Learn MoreDrought can alter the ecological balance of natural systems and harm fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as the benefits that these ecosystems provide to human communities. The environmental consequences of drought include losses in plant growth; increases in fire and insect outbreaks; altered rates of carbon, nutrient, and water cycling; and local species extinctions.
Learn MoreBecause energy and water are so interdependent, the availability and predictability of water resources can directly affect energy systems. Energy professionals need information on current drought conditions and outlooks in order to make informed decisions on cooling, alternative water supplies, pricing, and infrastructure security.
Learn MoreDuring drought conditions that result in low water levels on rivers and other waterways, port and maritime navigation and transportation operations may be limited due to a reduction in available routes and cargo-carrying capacity, resulting in increased costs. In addition, higher temperatures that often coexist with drought can impact roads, airport runways, and rail lines.
Learn MorePeriods of drought can lead to inadequate water supply, threatening the health, safety, and welfare of communities. Streamflow, groundwater, reservoir, and snowpack data are key to monitoring and forecasting water supply.
Learn MoreExtreme weather events can interact or cascade—where one disaster event triggers or changes the probability of another event. For example, drought conditions can increase the probability of large-scale wildfires, and droughts are often accompanied by extreme heat. By including drought in multi-hazard planning, a community can consolidate its resources and develop coordinated responses before a disaster.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreDuring drought conditions that result in low water levels on rivers and other waterways, port and maritime navigation and transportation operations may be limited due to a reduction in available routes and cargo-carrying capacity, resulting in increased costs. In addition, higher temperatures that often coexist with drought can impact roads, airport runways, and rail lines.
Learn MoreDrought is defined as the lack of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually for a season or more, that results in a water shortage. Changes in precipitation can substantially disrupt crops and livestock, influence the frequency and intensity of severe weather events, and affect the quality and quantity of water available for municipal and industrial use.
Learn MoreFlash drought is the rapid onset or intensification of drought. Unlike slow-evolving drought, which is caused by a decline in precipitation, flash drought occurs when low precipitation is accompanied by abnormally high temperatures, high winds, and/or changes in radiation. These sometimes-rapid changes can quickly raise evapotranspiration rates and remove available water from the landscape.
Learn MoreDrought can reduce the water availability and water quality necessary for productive farms, ranches, and grazing lands, resulting in significant negative direct and indirect economic impacts to the agricultural sector. Monitoring agricultural drought typically focuses on examining levels of precipitation, evaporative demand, soil moisture, and surface/groundwater quantity and quality.
Learn MoreOperational Impacts
Drought impacts on water utility operations range from loss of water supply to increased costs and reduced revenues.
Increasing Demand
Higher temperatures result in increased water demand for both agricultural irrigation and drinking water supply.
Aquifer Depletion
Limited surface water storage, among other factors, has contributed to significant depletion of aquifers in many U.S. regions.
Drought Impacts on Water Utilities
The water sector is central to public health and the economy. Water utilities ensure a reliable supply of clean water to communities and ecosystems and contribute significantly to the resilience of many other sectors, including agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.
Drought can result in impacts to water utility operations, including:
- Loss of water pressure and water supply
- Poor water quality from the source that may require additional treatment to meet drinking water standards
- Inability to access alternative and supplementary water sources because of high demand by and competition from other users
- Increased customer demand
- Increased costs and reduced revenues related to responding to drought impacts.
In dry years, many areas increase their reliance on groundwater. Groundwater provides more than 40 percent of the water used for U.S. agriculture and domestic water supplies. Increased pumping during droughts can reduce the future availability of those supplies, but strategies to replenish depleted underground aquifers can be helpful towards building drought resilience.
The water utility sector works to respond to water supply threats, withstand impacts from drought, and quickly recover when drought does occur. Drought and water shortage planning is not just a best management practice for water suppliers; it is a requirement in a growing number of states and water management districts. A water shortage plan enables a water supplier to assess the risks and reduce the vulnerability of a community to water shortage impacts, and to establish priorities that will provide water for public health and safety and minimize impacts on economic activity and environmental resources. Long-term drought resilience strategies should also consider projected climate conditions and incorporate planning to estimate demand and identify supply solutions well into the future.
To help the water utility sector build drought resilience, and even reduce risks from flooding, NIDIS is supporting research into Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO). FIRO is a reservoir-operations strategy that uses enhanced monitoring and improved weather and water forecasts to inform decision making in selectively retaining or releasing water from reservoirs to optimize water supply reliability and reduce flood risk. FIRO is being developed and tested on Lake Mendocino in California as a collaborative effort among multiple agencies and organizations. NIDIS is also working with researchers, NOAA forecasters, and water utilities to learn what steps are needed to integrate NOAA forecasts in reservoir operations and water resources management in the Southern Great Plains (Texas and Oklahoma).
Drought Early Warning for the Water Utilities Sector
Drought can imperil both the quantity and quality of the water supplied by utilities to the public. Therefore, early warning systems are vital for the water utility sector in strengthening its resilience to drought. The resources below are organized by the key components of a drought early warning system: (1) drought observation and monitoring; (2) drought planning and preparedness; (3) prediction and forecasting of drought; (4) communication and outreach to the public and affected sectors; and (5) interdisciplinary and applied research on topics of concern to drought-affected sectors.
Observation & Monitoring
Planning & Preparedness
Prediction & Forecasting
Interdisciplinary Research & Applications
