In this Section:

	Background
	Project Overview
	Project Components:
	Physical Characteristics
	Social Vulnerability
	Impacts
	Monitoring
	References
	Related Links
	Contacts

Colorado River near Lake Powell in March 2002 (top) and March 2003 (bottom).
Credit: John Dohrenwend

Research and Products:
Drought Planning and Mitigation

Project Overview

This project provides insights about drought in the Southwest, its causes, its impacts, and the potential vulnerability of Arizona’s expanding communities. The Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) is working in coordination with the Governor’s Drought Task Force (GDTF) to provide basic research and information on drought that will help the GDTF in effective drought planning for Arizona.

CLIMAS researchers are examining drought from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including geography, anthropology, municipal planning, economics, and water resources management. These distinct approaches, taken together, will provide timely and accessible information concerning the climatic, social, economic, and political aspects of drought in Arizona.

The goals of the project are to:

• Synthesize existing scientific knowledge that past, present, and future climate and hydrology within the state in a manner that is intelligible and useful for drought assessment.
• Refine our knowledge about drought sensitivities and vulnerabilities, and identify and define mitigation and adaptation strategies that can inform the GDTF drought plan.
• Provide the GDTF with timely value-added hydroclimatological information and educational materials.
• Identify and document the kinds of research needed to improve the scientific knowledge basis for adaptive drought planning and response.
• Link hydroclimatological information with drought impacts across a variety of biophysical and socioeconomic sectors.

There are three components of CLIMAS drought research (choose a link to learn more about a component):

Physical Characteristics
When did major droughts occur in Arizona, and how often have they recurred? How severe have past droughts been, and what areas of the state were hardest hit?

Social Vulnerability
How do people perceive drought? What are Arizona's vulnerabilities to drought, and where do these occur? How can society best mitigate the effects of drought?

Economic, Social, and Ecological Impacts
What impacts does drought have beyond limiting water availability? How have past droughts impacted agriculture, tourism, industry, and recreation? How have past droughts impacted wildlife habitat and the way that human and wildlife populations interact?