Summary of Hydrologic Conditions in Georgia, 1998-2000

1998 Water Year | 1999 and early 2000 Water Years
May 2000 | June 2000 | July 2000 | August 2000 | September 2000 | October 2000 | November 2000 | December 2000
Index | 2001 | 2002

Streamflow Conditions for 1998 Water Year

Across Georgia, annual runoff for the 1998 water year (as measured at 16 streamflow stations having 30 or more years of record) was about 170 percent above normal due to effects from the El Nino weather phenomena. The 1998 water year extends from October 1997 through September 1998. The only exceptions to the above normal runoff were for 2 streamflow stations in the northern third of Georgia where annual flows were near or slightly above normal. Above average precipitation for about the first eight months of the 1998 water year helped to sustain streamflow throughout most of the State. The ratios of runoff during the 1998 water year, as compared to long-term runoff, ranged from about 260 percent of normal to about 115 percent of normal.

From late October 1997 through May 1998, monthly mean flow for streamflow stations in central and southern Georgia was about 185 percent above normal. Monthly streamflow in the northern part of the state was about 135 percent above normal.

Despite the above-normal runoff for the full 1998 water year, streamflow in the last quarter of the water year was below normal. When compared to normal streamflow conditions, the lowest flows in the central and southern parts of Georgia occurred in July and August, and lowest flows in the northern part of the State occurred in July and September. In central Georgia, July flow averaged about 50 percent of normal and August flow averaged less than 80 percent of normal. Across southern Georgia, July and August flows were the lowest, averaging about 50 and 65 percent of normal, respectively. During July and September, monthly mean flow for streamflow stations across northern Georgia were about 55 percent of normal.

Streamflow Conditions for 1999 Water Year and through April, 2000

Statewide annual runoff for the 1999 water year for 16 streamflow stations was about 56 percent of normal. The continued below-normal precipitation over the year caused the streams to remain at below-normal levels. The rainfall deficient for Georgia for 1999 was about 11.5 inches. The rainfall deficient has continued into year 2000, and the long-term precipitation outlook for Georgia from the National Weather Service (NWS) is for continued below-normal rainfall. Flow ratios, the ratios of runoff during the 1999 water year as compared to long-term runoff, ranged from about 77 percent of normal to about 20 percent of normal, a stark contrast to the previous year.

From late October 1998 through December 1999, monthly mean flow for (16) streamflow stations throughout northern, central, and southern Georgia was about 50 percent of normal. When compared to normal streamflow conditions, the lowest flows throughout Georgia occurred during August-December. Streamflow for this period averaged about 30 percent of normal.

During January-May 2000, streamflow continued to decline statewide. In May, 7 of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record:

• Broad River at Bell - 510 cubic feet per second (cfs)
• Flint River near Culloden - 361 cfs
• Flint River near Montezuma - 990 cfs
• Flint River at Oakfield - 1,220 cfs
• Flint River near Newton - 1,686 cfs
• Ichawaynochaway Creek near Milford - 133 cfs
• Spring Creek near Iron City - 26 cfs

Ichawaynochaway Creek reached an all time minimum daily flow of 38 cfs on May 31, 2000. The previous minimum flow was 48 cfs in July 1986.

May 2000

During May 2000, streamflow stations in the northern part of the State had flows ranging from about 36-64 percent of normal. Monthly streamflow in the central and southern parts of the State ranged from about 7-36 percent of normal, with the lowest streamflow occurring in south-central and southwestern Georgia.

June 2000

During June 2000, streamflow continued to decline statewide. For the month, 9 of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record:

• Flint River near Culloden - 147 cubic feet per second (cfs)
• Flint River near Montezuma - 528 cfs
• Flint River at Oakfield - 652 cfs
• Flint River near Newton - 1,180 cfs
• Ichawaynochaway Creek near Milford - 44 cfs
• Spring Creek near Iron City - 3.6 cfs
• Altamaha River near Doctortown - 1,997 cfs
• Ohoopee River near Reidsville - 34 cfs
• Upatoi Creek near Columbus - 96 cfs).

Streamflow stations in the northern part of the State showed some decline in the previous month's flows (50-65%), and ranged from about 40-50% of normal. Monthly streamflow in the central and southern parts of the State also continued to decline from the previous month's flows (7-40%), and ranged from about 1-35% of normal. The lowest flows were still occurring in south-central and southwestern Georgia.

July 2000

During July 2000, streamflow continued to decline over most of north and central Georgia. The monthly runoff for the southern portion of the state remained about the same as the previous month. For the month, 7 of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record.

• Flint River near Culloden - 85 cubic feet per second (cfs);
• Flint River near Montezuma - 511 cfs;
• Flint River at Oakfield - 617 cfs;
• Ichawaynochaway Creek near Milford - 94 cfs;
• Spring Creek near Iron City - 1.4 cfs;
• Altamaha River near Doctortown - 1,790 cfs;
• Upatoi Creek near Columbus - 92 cfs.

Three of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded an all time minimum daily flow.

• Flint River near Culloden - 39 cfs (previous minimum - 87 cfs in 1986);
• Spring Creek near Iron City - 0.17 cfs (previous minimum - 0.8 cfs in 2000);
• Upatoi Creek near Columbus - 67 cfs (previous minimum - 74 cfs in 1986).

Streamflow stations in the northern part of the State showed a decline in the previous month's flows (40-45%), and ranged from about 30-35% of normal. Monthly streamflow in the Central and Southern parts of the State also continued to decline from the previous month's flows (1-35%), and ranged from about <1-30% of normal. The lowest flows were still occurring in south-central and southwestern Georgia.

August 2000

During August 2000, the previous monthly declines in streamflow slowed, and in some parts of north and central Georgia some minor increases occurred for the month. South Georgia continued to show some declines, but overall the monthly runoff for the southern portion of the state remained about the same as the previous month. Scattered rainfall across most of the state in the first and last weeks of the month helped to sustain streamflow in many areas. For the month, 5 of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record.

• Flint River near Montezuma - 542 cubic feet per second (cfs);
• Flint River at Oakfield - 681 cfs;
• Ichawaynochaway Creek near Milford - 102 cfs;
• Spring Creek near Iron City - 0.12 cfs;
• Altamaha River near Doctortown - 1,829 cfs.

• Spring Creek near Iron City - 0.0 cfs (previous minimum - 0.17 cfs in 2000);
• Ichawaynochaway Creek near Milford - 12 cfs (previous minimum - 20 cfs in 2000).

September 2000

During September 2000, the previous monthly declines in streamflow were reversed, with significant increases in streamflow occurring over most of the state. Some streams were above the normal monthly flows in parts of central and southern Georgia. Significant amounts of rainfall across most of the state in the September helped to increase or sustain streamflow in most areas. For the month, only 1 of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record.

• Spring Creek near Iron City - 0.10 cubic feet per second (cfs).

• Spring Creek near Iron City - 0.0 cfs;
• Ichawaynochaway Creek near Milford - 12 cfs.

October 2000

During October 2000, the previous monthly increases in streamflow were reversed, with significant decreases in streamflow occurring over most of the state. No significant amounts of rainfall occurred across the state in October, and most streams fell below their long-term normal monthly flows throughout the state. For the month, 3 of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record.

• Flint River near Montezuma - 566 cubic feet per second (cfs),
• Flint River at Oakfield - 742 cfs,
• Spring Creek near Iron City - 0.7 cfs.

None of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded an all time minimum daily flow, but several stations were approaching the period of record minimum flows.

Streamflow stations in the northern part of the State showed a drastic decrease in the previous month's flows (40-95%), and ranged from about 25-30% of normal. Monthly streamflow in central Georgia also decreased from the previous monthly flows (55-120%), and ranged from about 25-55% of normal. Monthly streamflow in the southern part of the State decreased from the previous month's flows (<1-240%), and ranged from about <1-70% of normal. Overall, the lowest flows were still occurring in southwestern Georgia, with dramatic declines across central and northern parts of the state.

November 2000

During November 2000, 11 of the 16 index stations showed increases in streamflow from the previous month occurring over most of the state. Some significant amounts of rainfall occurred across the state in November, but most streams still remained below their long-term normal monthly flows throughout the state. For the month, only 1 of the 16-index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record.

• Spring Creek near Iron City - 11.3 cubic feet per second (cfs).

None of the 16 index streamflow stations recorded an all time minimum daily flow as base-flow conditions across the State have begun to stabilize.

Streamflow stations in the northern part of the State showed an increase in the previous month's flows (25-30%), and ranged from about 50-75% of normal. Monthly streamflow in central Georgia also increased from the previous monthly flows (25-55%), and ranged from about 50-60% of normal. Monthly streamflow in the southern part of the State showed some increases but basically remained about the same as the previous month's flows (<1-70%), and ranged from about 5-75% of normal. Overall, the lowest flows were still occurring in southwestern Georgia, with some continued declines across the southeastern part of the state.

December 2000

During December 2000, 13 of the 16 index stations showed increases in streamflow from the previous month occurring over most of the state. Some significant amounts of rainfall occurred across the state in December, but most streams still remained below their long-term normal monthly flows throughout the state. For the month, none of the 16-index streamflow stations recorded new minimum monthly flows of record or an all time minimum daily flow. This is the first time since May 2000 that no record low-flows were recorded at any of the index sites. It appears that base-flow conditions across most of the State have begun to stabilize due to some increased precipitation and no extensive irrigation in progress.

Streamflow stations in the northern part of the State showed some minor decrease in the previous month's flows (50-75%), and ranged from about 35-50% of normal. Monthly streamflow in central Georgia also showed an overall decrease from the previous monthly flows (50-60%), and ranged from about 35-65% of normal. Monthly streamflow in the southern part of the State showed some increases but basically remained about the same as the previous month's flows (5-75%), and ranged from about 15-50% of normal. Overall, the lowest flows were still occurring in southwestern Georgia, with some continued declines across the southeastern part of the state.

Index | 2001 | 2002

The Georgia Drought Watch page has a map of current drought monitoring stations and associated data for current conditions. Streamflow monitoring pages also include a table of drought statistics for the station.

Return to: Water Resources of Georgia | Georgia Drought Watch