Georiga Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey General Interest Publication 4
WILL DROUGHT BE DECLARED ON MARCH 1? Each March 1st,
as long as this legislation is in effect, the Director of the GaEPD
must announce whether or not drought conditions exist.
NO—farmers are allowed to irrigate using streams that flow year-round.
AUCTION ACRES LESS THAN TARGET?
The Flint River Drought Protection Act was enacted to better manage the water resources of Georgia during periods of drought. A drought was declared on March 1, 2001, and an irrigated-acreage auction was held. The result was to voluntarily eliminate, for the balance of 2001, surface-water irrigation on 33,101 acres at an average accepted bid of $135 per acre. A drought also was declared for the 2002 growing season, and 40,894 acres were voluntarily removed from irrigation. The average 2002 bid was $128 per acre (Flint River Regional Water Council, Inc., 2002; McDowell, 2002). No drought was declared for 2003 or 2004.
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