Dealing with Drought

Just what is a drought? How do we know when a drought is starting or ending? Brian Fuchs, a climatologist with the National Drought Mitigation Center, explains why these can be difficult questions to answer.

If a raindrop falls on the ocean and there's no one there to see it, how can we be sure it really happened? Watch this short video from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to learn more about how the agency records global precipitation, soil moisture and changes in remote ice sheets to get "The Big Picture" of global change.

How much water could you be saving? That can be hard to say without knowing how much water you and your family are already using. Check out this water footprint calculator to determine the amount of water used in your home, on your commute and on your dinner plate, as well as how to conserve water resources in your daily life.

In this lesson, take a closer look at how drought impacts the way water cycles across the planet, from precipitation to snowpack, streamflow, groundwater, runoff and evaporation. Additionally, see what kind of impacts reduced water resources can have on plants, animals and the physical landscape.

With about 71% of the Earth's surface covered in water, it might seem like there will always be plenty of water to fulfill the needs of plants, animals and people, even in times of drought. However, of this vast quantity of water, only a minute amount is actually available for us to use! Learn more from NASA about where the planet's freshwater is stored, and how scientists track this important resource.

You wouldn't expect to find a penguin in the tropics, right? These animals have adapted to thrive in specific climate conditions, where other animals might struggle. The same kinds of adaptations are seen in plants! By choosing plants that have adapted to thrive under the moisture levels naturally found in your area, you can help reduce your water use and improve your landscape.

Download this sheet for some quick tips for saving water outside, as well as guidance on longer-term investments you may want to consider for a more serious commitment to water conservation.

Droughts are among the most expensive natural disasters, with impacts on human health, the agricultural industry and energy production. In this lesson, learn more about these impacts and take a closer look effect the 2011 drought had on Texas agriculture with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agronomist, Dr. Travis Miller.

The Sacramento Zoo requires water to take care of their animals and habitats, but they've found some creative ways to conserve while still attending to the animals' needs.

According to the EPA WaterSense program, the average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of wasted water each year! By attending to easily fixed household water leaks, the average homeowner can save about 10% on their water bill. Learn how to find and fix these leaks with this activity.

Download this sheet to learn more about how to save water in different kinds of workplaces.

The current western drought is one of the worst on record, but what other events are we comparing it to? In this lesson, learn about other major drought events that have affected the United States, including the Dust Bowl, and the droughts of the 1950s and the 1980s.

Interested in learning more about the weather and climate conditions that led to one of the most infamous droughts in the United States? Check out this article from NASA to dive deeper into the Dust Bowl of the 1930's.

Drought has been present in the United States for the last 15 years--basically all of the 21st century. In this lesson, learn about the current drought conditions faced by the nation, as well as just how much water is needed to re-hydrate the west.

Under the current drought conditions wildfires are quickly spreading across California, putting thousands of lives at risk as fires rage year-round. This video from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection takes a look at 2014's fire season, discusses the fire outlook, and shares information and tips on how to prepare for future fires.

Are the current drought conditions seen in the United States a taste of what to expect in the future under climate change? Dr. Ben Cook, a climatologist at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, discusses what conditions scientists are projecting for the country over the next hundred years.

Dr. Cook returns in this video from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to discuss megadroughts, what scientists are projecting for the west, and what information and tools scientists use to make these drought projections.

Download this sheet for some quick tips for saving water in the kitchen, as well as guidance on longer-term investments you may want to consider for a more serious commitment to water conservation.

Drought is a natural disaster, just like wildfires, floods and tornadoes, but you and your family probably don't have drought drills or a drought emergency plan. Why not? Drought can threaten energy, food and water supplies, and lead to other types of disasters such as those fires and floods. In this activity, make a drought emergency kit to make sure you and your family are prepared.

As droughts become more frequent and intense, you may want to approach water conservation as a way of life, rather than a temporary emergency response. In this lesson, learn about long-term adaptations you can make to your home and yard for maximum water savings.

Rain barrels can be great tools to help you make the most of precipitation. In this activity, learn how to build your own barrel for use in your home and yard.

Making your home and yard water efficient can be a significant investment. Fortunately, there are many types of rebates available to help offset these initial costs. Check out this activity to help find rebates in your area.

Download this sheet for some quick tips for saving water in the bathroom, as well as guidance on longer-term investments you may want to consider for a more serious commitment to water conservation.

As the country faces the challenges of managing scarce water resources, it's important to remember that individuals play a key role in conserving water.

Feeling like you've just taken a dunk in some alphabet soup? Consult the acronym list to look up any abbreviations you're not familiar with.

Our information comes from trusted scientific institutions, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Use this resource to see the source material for the information presented in this course.

Did you see an image in the course that you want to know more about? Use this reference list of all our visual aids to see where they came from.