What is Drought?
Drought is a recurrent feature of climate involving a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time, resulting in a water shortage. In British Columbia, drought may be caused by combinations of insufficient snow accumulation, hot and dry weather or a delay in rainfall.
Hydrological drought is associated with the effect of low precipitation on water levels in rivers, reservoirs, lakes and aquifers. Hydrological drought affects uses which depend on ground and surface water levels and stream flows.
In B.C. we use a four level Drought Classification to explain the severity and appropriate level of response to drought conditions.
Drought Level Classification:
Top
