Hydrological Drought
Hydrological droughts are characterized by changes in surface and subsurface water supplies. The signs of this kind of drought tend to lag behind agricultural and meteorological droughts. The impacts of hydrological droughts can last for years beyond the initial onset of the drought. The severity of the drought depends on location and factors, such as:
- Low reservoir, lake, and river levels
- Reduced stream flow
- Decreased snowpack
This graphic from NOAA’S River Forecast Center shows the river level data collected from the Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle in early December 2016. The river level dropped below the low-level stage, meaning parts of the river are impassable and detrimental impacts on local estuaries and ecosystems.