Governor issues drought warning

As a drought worsens across Alabama, Gov. Bob Riley warns that water levels are dangerously low in many counties.

Riley issued a drought warning for 37 counties Friday, including Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale and Lawrence, after the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs declared severe drought conditions for northern portions of the state.

Todd Stacy, deputy press secretary for Riley, said the warning is to alert water system operators and the public about possible problems this summer.

"It's a preemptive measure. If there are any water systems out there having problems right now, we're not aware of it," Stacy said.

By issuing the drought warning, the office of water resources activated Alabama's Drought Emergency Plan that allows state officials to better respond to any problems caused by water shortages.

State officials are asking public and private water systems to monitor water levels and prepare emergency procedures for coping with water shortages.

So far, water systems around the Shoals report no problems in meeting the needs of customers.

Rainfall in the Shoals is more than 14 inches below normal for the year. Since Jan. 1, 2005, the rainfall deficit is 34.73 inches.

Russellville water officials report that the level of Lake Elliott, the city's primary source of water, remains normal. In past droughts, the level of the lake has fallen.

The city now has a pipeline extending to Cedar Creek Lake that it can tap to supplement Lake Elliott when water levels fall.

Patrick Gatlin, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Huntsville, said forecasts do not bode well for ending the drought.

"We're getting into our summertime weather pattern of isolated thundershowers early this year. That kind of rain is not going to break the drought we're in," Gatlin said.

"What it's going to take to break the drought is for a couple of tropical systems to come here. Unfortunately, tropical systems do not normally begin making it as far north as the Tennessee Valley until August or September."

The Tennessee Valley Authority has reduced the flow of water from its dams in an effort to preserve lake levels.

Many lawns and farm crops around the Shoals have wilted in recent days because of the dry weather.

A fire alert from the Alabama Forestry Commission remains in effect for the entire state. During the alert, the agency rarely issues permits to burn brush piles or clear land with fire. Fires used for cooking, such as in barbecue grills, are allowed during the alert.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.