Have you ever considered what to do in the event of an extended drought? We've discussed deserts, but that's not the same. What do you do in an area where there is LOTS of rain and/or snowfall every year ... And suddenly, there is not? How about averaging 7 feet of snow each year, and suddenly for several straight years there is only about 18 inches *all year*? And your living is made by farming? (By the way, this is actually happening in certain parts of the globe.)
How would you survive?
How would you survive if you depended on that farmer's crops to live?
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This is something I always bring up in food storage issues simply because everyone always worries about food, but actually, water is more necessary for life than food. For me I think a good knowledge of where the nearest wells and rivers are is important. Also methods of conservation is important. In a high risk position the tips given in the deseret thread will be useful too.
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Satellite Study Reveals Parched U.S. West Using Up Underground Water:
More than 75 percent of the water loss in the drought-stricken Colorado River Basin since late 2004 came from underground resources. The extent of groundwater loss may pose a greater threat to the water supply of the western United States than previously thought. Ref. Source 1
Drought alters recovery of Rocky Mountain forests after fire
A changing climate is altering the ability of Rocky Mountain forests to recover from wildfire, according to a new study. When warm, dry conditions lead to drought in the years following fires, it impedes the growth and establishment of vulnerable new post-fire seedlings. The study also shows that forest recovery has been negatively affected by increased distances between burned areas and the sources of seeds that typically replace trees lost to fire. Ref. Source 4c.
Rainfall following drought linked to historic nitrate levels in Midwest streams in 2013
Drought periods followed by rainfall caused nitrate levels to increase to the highest ever measured in some Midwest streams during a 2013 study, according to a new report. Ref. Source 6y.
Successful prediction of multi-year US droughts and wildfire risk. A new study shows that difference in water temperature between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans together with global warming impact the risk of drought and wildfire in southwestern North America. A new model proves capable of much longer-term forecasts of mega-drought and active wildfire seasons than those currently available to people in agriculture, water management and forestry. Source 5i.
Having something that can take in the lack or rain and model what the possible risks that wild fires will have on a region is good to know. This way maybe more can be done to prevent or plan for a long term drought so that the land is not severely effected as it would be if no planning was done.