South Carolina Drought 


South Carolina saw no relief from the drought in 2001. Precipitation 
reports indicate that 2001 was the second driest year on record in 
South Carolina since 1895 bringing the statewide rainfall deficit 
since June 1998 to more than 30 inches.  Little or no relief is in 
sight as the drought pattern continues into 2002. Winter 2002 
precipitation events have intermittently improved moisture levels 
in the upper level of the soil, but have had minimal impact on the 
long-term hydrological deficit.

As of March 27, 2002, streamflows across the Palmetto State were very 
low, running at or less than 10 percent of their normal flow for this 
time of year.  In early 2002, 63% of all monitored streams reached 
record low flows.  Some groundwater levels are continuing to decline.  
There are numerous reports of private ponds and wells going dry, many 
of which are used for private drinking water supplies and irrigation.  
The hydrologic-drought has reeked havoc on the tourism industry with 
devastating losses to many lake-related businesses and golf courses.  

According to the S.C. Forestry Commission, the drought has significantly 
contributed to the southern pine beetle epidemic.  Trees weakened by 
drought are more susceptible to the tree-killing beetles. Timber losses 
due to beetles totaled $9.5 million in 1999, $40.7 million in 2000, 
$76 million in 2001, and $12 million from January-March 2002.  There 
has also been millions lost due to pine tree root disease.
 
The drought caused a significant reduction in forest growth.  The 
Forestry Commission reported that for trees planted during 2000 the 
survival rate was 25 percent less than expected.  

The drought has significantly increased wildfire activity.  Wildfire 
occurrence from July 1, 2001, through March 31, 2002, has already 
exceeded the average number of fires expected in a normal fiscal year.  
Drought and a reduction in the number of available fire fighters due to 
budget cuts significantly contributed to a 30% increase in fire size.  
The prolonged drought has increased the burning of large fuels.  
Residual smoke from these burning, heavy fuels caused 12 highway 
accidents and six fatalities from January - March 2002.   

The largest fire since July 2001 was a 1,911 acre blaze in Horry County 
in November 2001.  South Carolina received a FEMA Fire Management 
Assistance Grant for this  Horry County Long Bay wildfire.  

Drought has adversely impacted agriculture throughout the state over 
the past four years.  These impacts range from limited water for 
livestock, reduced feed crops, and lowered crop quality, to total 
loss of crops in some areas.  Since 1998, a natural disaster has been 
declared for most of South Carolina's 46 counties by the USDA Secretary 
of Agriculture each year due to drought.   Dillon and Horry counties 
were excluded from the declaration in 2000 and 2001.  The Farm Service 
Agency (FSA) crop disaster program payments totaled $25 million in 1998, 
$35 million in 1999, and $30 million in 2000.   The FSA payments and 
loans don't account for all agricultural losses.  According to Hal 
Harris, Professor of Agriculture and Applied Economics, Clemson 
University, farm losses over the past three years will probably 
approach $1 billion. 

Despite the persistence of the drought, most major water systems 
have not experienced public supply shortages due to long-range 
planning and implementation of local drought ordinances.  Those 
water systems requesting voluntary water conservation by their 
customers experienced a 15% - 20% demand reduction which in most 
cases prevented the need for stricter mandatory restrictions.  
Some systems, dependent on limited groundwater wells or small 
reservoirs, had to enforce stricter mandatory water use restrictions.  
Many water systems have seen the need to secure alternative sources 
to ensure an adequate water supply for customers.  The South Carolina 
State Water Plan encourages regionalized water systems to adequately 
manage water supply, especially during periods of drought.   


South Carolina State Climate Office
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
2221 Devine Street, Suite 222
Columbia, SC  29205
Phone: 803-734-9100