Drought of 1990 in the Western States and Outlook for 1991. Executive Summary

摘要

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is the West's primary water resources management agency. In addition, Reclamation provides recreation, fish and wildlife, water quality, and other water-related benefits to the citizens of the West. The report summarizes the drought conditions that occurred in many areas of the Reclamation West during water year 1990-from October 1, 1989, through September 30, 1990. Where information is available, some generalized predictions about the outlook for water supply in 1991 are provided. (For some Reclamation projects, reservoir operating plans for 1991 will not be prepared until after the report is published; therefore, the information herein may not represent the actual operating plans.) Next winter's precipitation patterns cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty; therefore, any predictions in the document should be treated as 'educated guesses,' based upon current conditions and the conditions expected if the winter season has high, average, or low precipitation. The reader is cautioned that the report summarizes water supply conditions at some selected Reclamation projects; not all projects are represented. Projects were selected for inclusion in the document based upon the availability of data and the severity of potential impacts from drought.