Effects of the 1988 drought on water resources in Wisconsin
The 1988 drought was one of the most severe droughts since weather records have been kept in Wisconsin; precipitation in Wisconsin was below normal in most areas during the 1988 calendar year. The statewide precipitation average of 25.7 inches for the year was 5.6 inches below the normal precipitation of 31.2 inches; 1988 was the 14th driest year since 1840. Annual runoff during the 1988 water year was below normal in the entire State, except for a few basins in south-central and southeastern Wisconsin, where runoff was 101% of normal. The water quality of many eutrophic lakes improved because of reduced nutrient loadings. In response to this nutrient reduction, phosphorus concentrations in water near the lake surface declined, resulting in a substantial improvement in the lake's water quality. Record or near record low water levels were measured in about 50 observation wells during 1988. These low water levels are similar to those measured during the 1978 drought. The amount of water used for irrigation during 1988 increased because the drought occurred during the growing season. Wisconsin has about 550 public water supply systems that serve approximately 65% of the State's population. The use of surface water for self-supplied industrial and thermoelectric purposes increased during the 1988 drought, necessitating the need for some withdrawal restrictions because of low streamflow and inadequacy of surface water supplies. A large deficit in rainfall from April through mid-July 1988 and unusually high temperatures from June through August produced drought conditions that stressed crops and caused crop-related losses. Drought appraisals indicated that drought-related crop losses in the State in 1988 exceeded $900 million.
- OSTI ID:
- 7161542
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: USGS Open File Report 90-149
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
WISCONSIN
DROUGHTS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
HYDROLOGY
IRRIGATION
RUNOFF
WATER QUALITY
WATER RESOURCES
WATER SUPPLY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
USA
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)