{"id":26149,"date":"2026-04-21T14:56:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chattahoochee.org\/?p=26149"},"modified":"2026-04-21T14:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:56:40","slug":"conserving-water-during-drought","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chattahoochee.org\/es\/blog\/conserving-water-during-drought\/","title":{"rendered":"Conserving water during drought"},"content":{"rendered":"

April 21, 2026 \u2013\u00a0If your community relies on the Chattahoochee River, Lake Lanier,\u00a0or another source for drinking water in Georgia,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0important for you to know\u00a0that\u00a0Georgia is experiencing drought.\u00a0Even with rain in the forecast, conditions might get worse.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

There are some things to know if you plan on watering your lawn, washing your car, filling your pool, or buying a new appliance.\u00a0<\/p>

The top line message: please begin to think about how much water you use, where you use water, and how you use water. Our collective water-use behavior matters, particularly during a drought!\u00a0Click here to view your water conservation to-do list.<\/a><\/p>

Regardless of where you live, the Ciudad de Gainesville<\/a>, Cobb Water,<\/a> the Gwinnett County Water Resources Department,<\/a> y el Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District<\/a> have helpful water conservation suggestions, rebate offers to save money, and more so that you can be water wise and make every drop count! <\/p>

Current Conditions<\/strong> <\/p>

Georgia\u2019s\u00a0dry conditions have been building for months, particularly in southwest Georgia.\u00a0Now, some measure of drought \u2014 categorized between \u201cabnormally dry\u201d and \u201cexceptional drought\u201d \u2014 covers 100 percent of the state, according to the\u00a0U.S. Drought Monitor<\/a>.<\/p>

For those who may not know, Georgia experienced the most recent droughts \u201cof record\u201d from 2006-09 and 2010-12. In both instances, a lack of rain and high temperatures dried out the ground. Streams flowed at their lowest levels since the previous drought of record in the 1950s. In the first drought period, local governments restricted when residents could water lawns, mostly in northern Georgia. Sixty-one counties had to reduce their water use by 10 percent<\/a>. And the Governor prayed for rain<\/a> on the Capitol\u2019s steps. In the second event, agriculture in southern Georgia was hit particularly hard. You can read more about \u201cDrought in the ACF River Basin\u201d aqu\u00ed.<\/a> <\/p>

In April (2026), the Georgia Environmental Protection Division\u00a0observed<\/a>\u00a0that stream flows in the Chattahoochee and Flint River basins \u2014 for example, near Cornelia and Dahlonega and in\u00a0Upatoi\u00a0Creek \u2014 are all\u00a0currently lower than those flows were in March of 2007 and 2011.\u00a0\u00a0Lake Lanier\u2019s reservoir\u2014which combined with the Chattahoochee River supplies metropolitan Atlanta with 70 percent of its drinking water \u2014 is currently at a lower level than it was in 2007.<\/p>

The Outlook<\/strong> <\/p>

No rainfall is expected until later this week<\/a>. And the most recent three-month outlook\u00a0indicates\u00a0some relief could be\u00a0possible\u00a0from\u00a0May through July. However, air temperature will rise as we move into May and the summer months. If rain is slow, steady and persists over a few days, then we could see some recovery. However, a lack of significant rain and higher temperatures will draw more moisture out of the soil. Lakes and reservoirs will also begin to lose water to\u00a0evaporation. On the hottest, cloudless summer days, lakes and reservoirs can lose as much as\u00a01 million gallons\u00a0of water per acre of reservoir each year. At Lake Lanier, that could equal an average of\u00a0100 million gallons\u00a0of water per day.\u00a0<\/p>

Who declares \u201cdrought\u201d?<\/strong> <\/p>

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) monitors drought conditions statewide and releases\u00a0monthly\u00a0\u201cDrought Indictor Reports<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0In consultation with local governments and water providers, EPD can issue a \u201cDrought Declaration\u201d and\u00a0initiate\u00a0targeted \u201cDrought Response Strategies\u201d in specific counties, regions, or the entire state.\u00a0A Drought Level 1 Response is designed to make people aware that we are in a drought and does not change your ability to use water.\u00a0Under Level 1, community residents can continue to water outdoors between 4 pm and 10 am\u00a0as the law currently states<\/a>.\u00a0Level 1 requires local governments and water utilities to implement a public awareness campaign.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Drought Level 2 and 3 Responses are designed to address more challenging conditions and require higher levels of response from local communities and individuals to ensure water supplies are protected and available for public use.\u00a0You can read all the Rules and Regulations for Drought Management\u00a0aqu\u00ed<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

Lo que puedes hacer<\/strong> <\/p>

Be water smart! According to state law, Georgians may water their lawns between 4 pm and 10 am at any time of the year, except during a Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) declared Drought Response. When drought conditions are present, EPD may implement a Drought Response Level 1, 2, or 3. These response actions have not been implemented since 2019.<\/p>