ALABAMA DROUGHT CRISIS FACT SHEET
ALABAMA DROUGHT CRISIS FACT SHEET
“Severe” to “Exceptional” drought is impacting rivers and streams all across Alabama.
Several of our most important rivers — including the Alabama River, the Cahaba River, the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River, the Little River and the Paint Rock River — are at or near historic low flows and drought impacts are predicted to persist or worsen over the next few months.
Droughts impacts include:
- Fish kills
- Stranding of endangered mussels and snails
- Poor water quality including:
- Water too warm
- Not enough oxygen
- Algae buildup
- Less protection from pollution
- Increased salinity in the Delta and Bay causing harm to oysters and fisheries
- Limited recreation
- Increased fire hazard
Extreme low flows on the Cahaba River at Liberty Park on Friday, October 7. - ALL of this well before water runs out for drinking
To #DefendRivers, we should:
- Develop a Sustainable Water Management Plan for Alabama that:
- Requires conservation and efficiency before we are in a drought crisis
- Protects stream flows and functions
- Requires metering and monitoring of water use
- Treats all users in a fair and predictable way
- Reduce consumption to protect stream flows and drinking water. This means reducing outdoor water use from sources that impact stream flows
From USGS on Thursday, October 6 - Be extra vigilant against pollution spills that harm water quality
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