USGS data show that river and reservoir levels in Central Alabama continue to be well below normal, with some of the largest impacts on the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers. At this point, it will take several inches of rain to raise water levels in major rivers and reservoirs - four inches of rain over 24 hours would raise reservoir levels by about one foot, which still would not bring them to normal winter levels.
While a small amount of rain in the forecast won't end the drought, every bit of extra moisture helps! This is a great time to make sure that your house gutters and downspouts discharge onto your lawn or another grassy area, instead of pavement. This allows rain water to slowly soak into the ground, where it helps to recharge groundwater supplies that feed our local streams and rivers.
(Sources: National Weather Service, Birmingham, AL: Drought Information for Central Alabama, November 21, 2007. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/hydro/drought.phpUS EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, www.epa.gov/owow))
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