Drought

Description:

A prolonged period without rain: A twelve month period during which precipitation is less than 85% of normal as defined by the National Weather Service (44 inches is the average precipitation level per year). The Palmer Drought Index is used for the purpose of activating the Drought Emergency Plan. The index is a composite of evapotranspiration, recharge, runoff, loss, and precipitation. The plan is activated at -2.00 on the index (moderate drought) and at -3.00 the MEMA/Drought Task Force recommends to the Governor that he issue an Emergency Proclamation.

Many Maine towns and cities have multiple sources of supply; i.e., both surface and ground water supplies. Generally, ground water requires less treatment but high capacity wells with good quality water are hard to find in some regions of Maine. This is especially true of the coastal area. Those towns that have multiple sources of supply are less susceptible to drought effects.

Maine traditionally has had few drought concerns as we are a water rich state. Droughts occur about every 20 years with severe 3–5 year droughts occurring about every 40 years. Due to climate patterns that appear to be changing, the frequency and severity of Maine droughts may worsen. Annual precipitation in Maine has been decreasing by .04 inches every decade since 1960.

Secondary Effects:

Agricultural losses vary due to the crops affected and the duration of the drought. The effects of wildfires are worsened when water tables are lowered and plants are more susceptible. Lowered water tables affect individual residential wells and some public water supplies.

Tourism may be affected. Recreational activities may be severely impacted by substantially reduced precipitation, both in summer and winter. Boys and girls camps, hotels, seasonal rental properties, and restaurants may experience decreases in business.

Drought and prolonged dry spells can create serious forest fire hazards.

Drought can result in widespread economic losses due to decreases in business and job losses, increased power costs, and increased costs of locally produced agricultural products. Erosion of the soil occurs when root systems wither.

Municipal water supplies may be impacted by people from outlying areas using in town services like laundromats. Households with private wells may supplement their supply with water carried from the homes of in-town friends and relatives.

Many of those who rely on dug wells are in the low income range and have no money reserves and few, if any, resources. If this were not so, they would have the more expensive and dependable drilled well. Droughts impact the already strained budgets of these families as they often have to travel considerable distances for alternative sources of water. Drinking water may have to be purchased.

Vulnerability:

The entire developed area of the State could be affected by a drought. The most severely affected areas would be those with highest daily water consumption i.e., urbanized and/or industrialized areas. While fewer people would be affected, the economic impact upon farmland and livestock operations also would be very serious. A good example would be Aroostook County with its predominantly agricultural base.

Maine is a 90% wooded rural state of 1,278,670 population, comprising 33,000 square miles. This area is about as large as all of the other New England states combined. In short, we have a small population spread over a large area. Recent demographics indicate this population is moving further away from larger towns and cities. Most of the State’s population is concentrated in the coastal counties.

Approximately 57% of the population, 760,000 people, rely on 2,200 public water systems. The remaining 45% or 510,000 people rely on wells.

Three weather regions exist in the state running from west to east in distinct bands. These are the coastal region which extends inward about 30 miles from the coast. The southern region which extends inward from the coastal region to about Grofton Notch on the western border and Danforth on the eastern border. The remaining area comprises the northern zone. Drought severity may differ widely in each region.

A large percentage of Maine wells are dug wells since this type of well is inexpensive to install. Dug or shallow wells are most susceptible to drought and are the first to go dry. However, they are the first to come back when conditions improve. Drilled wells are more drought resistant but when they do go dry they are slower to return to productive levels.

A severe multi-year drought occurred in Maine in the ‘60s, ‘80s, and from 2000 to 2003.

Mitigation:

Early identification of drought threats is important in order to educate the public in conservation measures and minimize damage.

The Soil and Water Conservation Commission, together with other Department of Agriculture divisions, the Department of Conservation, and the Department of Environmental Protection, have programs, regulations, policies, and educational materials to assist in minimizing this hazard.

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MAINE PREPARES

Drought

Description:

Secondary Effects:

Vulnerability:

Mitigation:

MAINE HAZARDS