Drought effects on steam excursions

[jopsuk]

There's been around 70% of average rainfall over the last few years. Below average yes, but no matter how much name calling the moderators let you get away that doesn't change the fact that it isn't a drought.

It's a drought by government standards. It's a problem because the areas affected were already the areas with lowest rainfall, and are the areas that have seen the largest increases in population.

At a time of year when reservoirs should be brimming over, they are, well, not.
Read reports from the Environment Agency on the Anglian Water region, on the south-east here- spot the parts of Kent that had under 30% of "average" in February.

There is a big problem. Saying "there's not a drought" is not going to make the problem go away.
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Look at the rainfall stats.

If you think you know better than those who know more than you, go and change the Wikipedia entry on Drought.

from your beloved article, the actual definition part, unchanged by me:

A drought (or drouth [archaic]) is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply whether surface or underground water. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Perhaps you would like to tell the BBC, the Environment Agency, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, Anglian Water, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East that they are all wrong and someone who's read a Wikipedia article has decided it's not a drought?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17340844

Water companies across southern and eastern England are to introduce hosepipe bans amid drought conditions.

The drought-affected areas are the south-east of England and East Anglia.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said the temporary restrictions would "help protect the public's water supply in the areas most affected by the record low levels of rainfall we have experienced over the last 17 months".

News of the hosepipe bans has coincided with warm weather in much of the UK, although the drought conditions are a consequence of successive dry winters.

http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/PDF/GEHO0312BWDT-E-E.pdf

Most of the south east and eastern England is now in drought as a result of two consecutive dry winters with below average rainfall.

So perhaps you could explain why the Environment Agency is wrong? From their report, quoted immediately above, they are under the mistaken impression that there is a drought. Please do correct them.

 

[Stewart]

Perhaps you would like to tell the BBC, the Environment Agency, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, Anglian Water, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East that they are all wrong and someone who's read a Wikipedia article has decided it's not a drought?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17340844




http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/PDF/GEHO0312BWDT-E-E.pdf

So perhaps you could explain why the Environment Agency is wrong? From their report, quoted immediately above, they are under the mistaken impression that there is a drought. Please do correct them.

Absolutely no vested interests in that lot :roll:

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Absolutely no vested interests in that lot :roll:

If you think you know better than those who know more than you then why not correct the Environment Agency? Or actually try and debate your point with evidence?

 

[jopsuk]

What on earth do water companies that charge by the cubic meter have to gain by restricting water use? Your conspiracy theory lacks logic!
another part of that wikipedia article:

Types of drought



As a drought persists, the conditions surrounding it gradually worsen and its impact on the local population gradually increases. People tend to define droughts in three main ways:[45]
Meteorological drought is brought about when there is a prolonged period with less than average precipitation. Meteorological drought usually precedes the other kinds of drought.
Agricultural droughts are droughts that affect crop production or the ecology of the range. This condition can also arise independently from any change in precipitation levels when soil conditions and erosion triggered by poorly planned agricultural endeavors cause a shortfall in water available to the crops. However, in a traditional drought, it is caused by an extended period of below average precipitation.
Hydrological drought is brought about when the water reserves available in sources such as aquifers, lakes and reservoirs fall below the statistical average. Hydrological drought tends to show up more slowly because it involves stored water that is used but not replenished. Like an agricultural drought, this can be triggered by more than just a loss of rainfall. For instance, Kazakhstan was recently awarded a large amount of money by the World Bank to restore water that had been diverted to other nations from the Aral Sea under Soviet rule.[46] Similar circumstances also place their largest lake, Balkhash, at risk of completely drying out.[47]

 

[Stewart]

What on earth do water companies that charge by the cubic meter have to gain by restricting water use? Your conspiracy theory lacks logic!
another part of that wikipedia article:

How about they are pushing the drought meme in order to detract attention from the abysmal amount of water leaking from their pipes?

 

[tempests1]

Absolutely no vested interests in that lot :roll:

South East Water are imposing restrictions from 05th April 2012 with regards to using a hosepipe http://www.southeastwater.co.uk/pls/apex/f?p=sewl:1:0. I don't think it is fair to say Ralph has vested interests, he just responded well to your earlier post

 

[Stewart]

South East Water are imposing restrictions from 05th April 2012 with regards to using a hosepipe http://www.southeastwater.co.uk/pls/apex/f?p=sewl:1:0. I don't think it is fair to say Ralph has vested interests, he just responded well to your earlier post

I'll remember to dig out my umbrella for April then.

 

[jopsuk]

How about they are pushing the drought meme in order to detract attention from the abysmal amount of water leaking from their pipes?

Whilst I fully agree that there is a big problem with leaks, that doesn't change the fact that there's been very little rain, many reservoirs are rather low and rivers are in genuine danger of drying up.

 

[Stewart]

Whilst I fully agree that there is a big problem with leaks, that doesn't change the fact that there's been very little rain, many reservoirs are rather low and rivers are in genuine danger of drying up.

But by any reasonable definition, there's no drought.

70% of average rainfall in a wet country is just a less wet spell, it's not even a dry spell.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

But by any reasonable definition, there's no drought.

So the Environment Agency are wrong then?

 

[tempests1]

There's been around 70% of average rainfall over the last few years. Below average yes, but no matter how much name calling the moderators let you get away that doesn't change the fact that it isn't a drought.

But by any reasonable definition, there's no drought.

70% of average rainfall in a wet country is just a less wet spell, it's not even a dry spell.

It doesnt matter whether you think it is a drought or not, as the EA, Water Companies etc will make the decision!

 

[LE Greys]

But by any reasonable definition, there's no drought.

70% of average rainfall in a wet country is just a less wet spell, it's not even a dry spell.

Just out of curiosity, whereabouts in the country do you live? The North Herts farmers are currently using crop-sprayers full of water rather than getting the sprinklers out. I've seen years where the fields have gone yellow early and lack of water means half the normal wheat yield. We can manage as a country because we can import wheat from elsewhere, but this puts farmers out of business and sends prices up. I've also seen Grafham Water full, less than full and on one occasion down to about half-full. Haven't been there for ages, but I hear its 20% below the normal level for this time of year.

 

[jopsuk]

70% of average rainfall in a wet country is just a less wet spell, it's not even a dry spell.

The "South East" region had under 40% across the area, under 30% in places, in February

 

[LE Greys]

Another thing, is it possible to get water to flow up the canals by pumping it upstream at locks. It would be expensive, but sending water up the Grand Union could lead to it going down to the Ouse and Nene and thus Grafham and Rutland Waters.

 

[jopsuk]

Grafham's fine, they recycle into that.

 

[LE Greys]

Grafham's fine, they recycle into that.

Good. I used to sail there once, and sometimes the water would be several yards beyond the ends of the slipways (meaning a trip over thick mud).

 

[moonrakerz]

Oh gosh ............. My harmless (So I thought !) question seems to have stirred up a hornets nest hock:

Having said that, I did foresee a possible divergence of views on exactly what a "drought" might be - which is why I actually queried the possible effects of a "drought order".

Have done a fair bit of Googling - much of which leads me back to this thread anyway

Anyone know anything about rain dances ?