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ACF Drought & Water Dashboard

Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin Drought & Water Dashboard

Explore timely and reliable information on past, present, and future drought conditions to increase drought early warning capacity and support decision making across the ACF Basin.

4.35%

of USGS streamgages in the ACF Basin have below-normal 28-day average streamflow (updates Thursdays)

0

counties in the ACF Basin are designated in drought by the USDA

Change of
0
since last week
Change of
0
since last month
47th

wettest May on record, over the past 129 years

Increase of
0.27
inches from normal
46th

driest year to date over the past 129 years (January-May 2023)

Decrease of
0.49
inches from normal

Drought & Dryness Categories
Value Map Hex Color % of ACF Basin Description
D0 - Abnormally Dry #ffff00 3.7 Abnormally Dry Abnormally Dry (D0) indicates a region that is going into or coming out of drought. View typical impacts by state.
D1 – Moderate Drought #ffcc99 0.0 Moderate Drought Moderate Drought (D1) is the first of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D2 – Severe Drought #ff6600 0 Severe Drought Severe Drought (D2) is the second of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D3 – Extreme Drought #ff0000 0 Extreme Drought Extreme Drought (D3) is the third of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D4 – Exceptional Drought #660000 0 Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
Total Area in Drought (D1–D4) #ffffff 0.0 Total Area in Drought (D1–D4) Percent area of the ACF River Basin that is currently in drought (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Percent of Normal Precipitation (%)
Range Map Hex Color Description
0% - 25% #8c510a Precipitation was only 0% to 25% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
25% - 50% #bf812d 25%–50% of Normal Precipitation was 25% to 50% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
50% - 75% #dfc27d 50%–75% of Normal Precipitation was 50% to 75% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
75% - 100% #f6e8c3 75%–100% of Normal Precipitation was 75% to 100% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
Range Map Hex Color Description
100% - 150% #c7eae5 100%–150% of Normal Precipitation was 100% to 150% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
150% - 200% #80cdc1 150%–200% of Normal Precipitation was 150% to 200% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
200% - 300% #35978f 200%–300% of Normal Precipitation was 200% to 300% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
300% - #01665e >300% of Normal Precipitation was greater than 300% of the historical average for this location, compared to the same date range from 1991–2020. 
Precipitation Deficit
Range Map Hex Color
-2 - -1.5 #cc0000
-1.5 - -1.0 #ff6600
-1.0 - -0.5 #ffa200
-0.5 - 0 #ebeb50
Adequate or Surplus Precipitation
Range Map Hex Color
0 - 0.5 #8ce48c
0.5 - 1.5 #00c800
1.5 - 2.0 #00af00
2.0 - #009600

Streamflow and Reservoir Conditions

ACF Reservoirs
Value Map Hex Color
Walter F. George Lake #0000f5
West Point Lake #c49bf9
Lake Sidney Lanier #75fb4c
USACE Lake Action Zones
Value Map Hex Color Description
Flood Storage #0000ff Flood Storage Storage is above Zone 1.
Zone 1 #55ff00 Zone 1 Zone 1 indicates normal operations. Releases can be made in support of seasonal navigation (when the channel has been adequately maintained), hydropower releases, water supply, and water quality releases. 
Zone 2 #ffff00 Zone 2 Zone 2 indicates that water to support seasonal navigation may be limited (ACF Basin only). Hydropower generation is supported at a reduced level. Water supply and water quality releases are met. Minimum flow targets are met. 
Zone 3 #ffaa00 Zone 3 Zone 3 indicates that water to support seasonal navigation may be significantly limited (ACF Basin only). Hydropower generation is supported at a reduced level. Water supply and water quality releases are met. Minimum flow targets are met.
Zone 4 #ff0000 Zone 4 Zone 4 indicates that navigation is not supported (ACF Basin only). Hydropower demands will be met at minimum level and may only occur for concurrent uses. Water supply and water quality releases are met. Minimum flow targets are met.
No Action Zones #000000 Project Does Not Have Action Zones
Streamflow Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
Low #ff0000 Record Low Estimated streamflow is the lowest value recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Much Below #b12121 Much Below Normal ( 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 #ffa400 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 #00ff00 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.
Value Map Hex Color Description
Above #40dfd0 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 #0000ff 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.
High #000000 Record High Estimated streamflow is the highest value ever measured at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Not Ranked #ffffff Not Ranked A flow category has not been computed for this gauge, for example due to insufficient historical data or no current streamflow estimates.
U.S. Drought Monitor
Value Map Hex Color Description
D0 #ffff00 D0 - Abnormally Dry Abnormally Dry (D0) indicates a region that is going into or coming out of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D1 #ffcc99 D1 – Moderate Drought Moderate Drought (D1) is the first of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D2 #ff6600 D2 – Severe Drought Severe Drought (D2) is the second of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D3 #ff0000 D3 – Extreme Drought Extreme Drought (D3) is the third of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D4 #660000 D4 – Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
Streamflow Conditions
Value Map Hex Color Description
Low #ff0000 Record Low Estimated streamflow is the lowest value recorded at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Much Below #b12121 Much Below Normal ( 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 #ffa400 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 #00ff00 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.
Value Map Hex Color Description
Above #40dfd0 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 #0000ff 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.
High #000000 Record High Estimated streamflow is the highest value ever measured at this gauge on this day of the year. Learn more.
Not Ranked #ffffff Not Ranked A flow category has not been computed for this gauge, for example due to insufficient historical data or no current streamflow estimates.
U.S. Drought Monitor
Value Map Hex Color Description
D0 #ffff00 D0 - Abnormally Dry Abnormally Dry (D0) indicates a region that is going into or coming out of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D1 #ffcc99 D1 – Moderate Drought Moderate Drought (D1) is the first of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D2 #ff6600 D2 – Severe Drought Severe Drought (D2) is the second of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D3 #ff0000 D3 – Extreme Drought Extreme Drought (D3) is the third of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D4 #660000 D4 – Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.

Future Conditions

U.S. Drought Outlooks

Drought Is Predicted To...
Value Map Hex Color Description
Persist #9b634a Drought Persists During this time period, drought is forecast to persist.
Improve #ded2bc Drought Improves During this time period, drought is forecast to improve.
End #b2ad69 Drought Is Removed During this time period, drought removal is forecast.
Develop #ffde63 Drought Develops During this time period, drought development is forecast.
N/A #ffffff No Drought Present
Drought Is Predicted To...
Value Map Hex Color Description
Persist #9b634a Drought Persists During this time period, drought is forecast to persist.
Improve #ded2bc Drought Improves During this time period, drought is forecast to improve.
End #b2ad69 Drought Is Removed During this time period, drought removal is forecast.
Develop #ffde63 Drought Develops During this time period, drought development is forecast.
N/A #ffffff No Drought Present

Quantitative Precipitation Forecast

Predicted Inches of Precipitation
Range Map Hex Color
0 - 0.01 #ffffff
0.01 - 0.1 #7fff00
0.1 - 0.25 #00cd00
0.25 - 0.5 #008b00
0.5 - 0.75 #104e8b
0.75 - 1 #1e90ff
1 - 1.25 #00b2ee
1.25 - 1.5 #00eeee
1.5 - 1.75 #8968cd
Range Map Hex Color
1.75 - 2 #912cee
2 - 2.5 #8b008b
2.5 - 3 #8b0000
3 - 4 #cd0000
4 - 5 #ee4000
5 - 7 #ff7f00
7 - 10 #cd8500
10 - 15 #ffd700
15 - 20 #ffff00
20 - #ffaeb9
Predicted Inches of Precipitation
Range Map Hex Color
0 - 0.01 #ffffff
0.01 - 0.1 #7fff00
0.1 - 0.25 #00cd00
0.25 - 0.5 #008b00
0.5 - 0.75 #104e8b
0.75 - 1 #1e90ff
1 - 1.25 #00b2ee
1.25 - 1.5 #00eeee
1.5 - 1.75 #8968cd
Range Map Hex Color
1.75 - 2 #912cee
2 - 2.5 #8b008b
2.5 - 3 #8b0000
3 - 4 #cd0000
4 - 5 #ee4000
5 - 7 #ff7f00
7 - 10 #cd8500
10 - 15 #ffd700
15 - 20 #ffff00
20 - #ffaeb9

Historical Drought Conditions and Impacts: ACF River Basin

U.S. Drought Monitor
Value Map Hex Color Description
D0 #ffff00 D0 - Abnormally Dry Abnormally Dry (D0) indicates a region that is going into or coming out of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D1 #ffcc99 D1 – Moderate Drought Moderate Drought (D1) is the first of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D2 #ff6600 D2 – Severe Drought Severe Drought (D2) is the second of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D3 #ff0000 D3 – Extreme Drought Extreme Drought (D3) is the third of four drought categories (D1–D4), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.
D4 #660000 D4 – Exceptional Drought Exceptional Drought (D4) is the most intense drought category, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. View typical impacts by state.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Story Map: Drought in the ACF River Basin

The waters of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers provide valuable resources to the States of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia and people who live in these river basins.

During droughts, the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, Flint (ACF) River Basin experiences complex water management challenges due to competing water needs between states and various sectors. Water supplies and instream flows become stressed during periods of drought, further intensifying the conflict over water. Targeted improvements for accessing and using drought information in the ACF can increase the broader understanding of how drought affects the basin, while also providing essential early warning and support for decision makers before, during, and after a drought.

The Drought in the ACF River Basin story map explores the historical context and impacts of drought on the basin, focusing on five key areas:

  • Historical Drought
  • Major Rivers in the ACF
  • Water Management in the ACF Basin
  • Impacts of Drought in the ACF
  • Looking Ahead

View the Story Map

Map that highlights the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin