Research

Hydrology and Water Resources: Current Research

Droughts and Water Shortages: Economic Impacts and Reducing Vulnerability

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Personnel

Summary

We are conducting a comprehensive study of drought and water shortages in Washington State to

(a) analyze impacts from recent droughts,

(b) identify the most vulnerable areas and sectors,

(c) develop indicators to monitor and forecast drought conditions, and

(d) determine ways to reduce drought vulnerability and impacts in the future.

A focus is the economic assessment of drought in the state. A result of this study will be an economic assessment of drought, and the benefits and costs of taking early action to reduce the widespread and long-lasting effects of droughts.

Collaborators

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

Primary Funding

Washington State Legislature

Related Publications

For publications on climate impacts on PNW water resources, please see CIG Publications.

Shukla, S. and A.W. Wood. 2008. Use of a standardized runoff index for characterizing hydrologic drought. Geophysical Research Letters 35, L02405, doi:10.1029/2007GL032487