Drought Severity and Water Supply Dependability.
Abstract
The characteristics of droughts that determine their severity and the regulatory measures required to provide protection against droughts depend to a large extent on the basic characteristics of meteorological and hydrological phenomena and to a large extent on the nature of operations that are affected by droughts. In irrigation applications, for example, severe droughts that occur during the nonirrigation seasons may be of minor significance, whereas moderate droughts during the irrigation seasons might be of critical consequences. Where the use of water is only a small fraction of the supply, long-duration droughts might be of minor consequences, whereas severe short-duration droughts could be critical. On the other hand, where use of water is high, long periods of carryover are necessary and short-duration droughts might not be critical. This paper examines the effects of droughts from the standpoint of differences in streamflow characteristics and differences in development and use. Particular attention is given to the regulatory requirements of reservoirs in relation to these factors. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- ADA104918
Entities
People
- Harold E. Kubik
- Leo R. Beard