Is the drought over?
 

My sister sent me this link to the blog of a couple who are bicycling around the world and are currently in Australia. here is the link: http://downtheroad.org/Australia/
I read part of it today and it seems that they were biking through a LOT of rain. Does that mean the drought is over in the southern part of Australia and the irrigation will go on as usual and the farmers won't see their farms all blow away? I sure hope so. One news article that actually made it in the front section of our newspaper told about the threat to cut off all the irrigation water from the Darling River system (I believe that was the one) and it would have dire consequences for farmers and consequently everyone in Australia. I hope that the rains are gentle enough to not cause flooding and adequate enough to fill reservoirs and start things growing again. And to put out the fires.
Sally in Seattle

No. There were reasonable falls in some parts of the country, but, for example, >95% of NSW is still officially "drought declared". That means that the area is so badly affected that the Gov't allows some subsidies for things like stock food and transport, so you may imagine it's pretty desperate when the Gov't lets go of (our) purse-strings to any degree at all!

Droughts are not ended with even big rains unless there is some follow-up in the ensuing weeks & months. Ironically, when the country has been as dry as it has been for the last decade, it becomes hydrophobic and heavy rains can end up doing more harm than good because the bulk of the water simply runs off, further eroding the soil.

What it has done though, is allow a lot of farmers to plant crops in the hope of follow up rains to bring them on and through the winter. And, of course, to start some grass growing and replenish some dams, tanks, & other water sources for stock & farmiing. Just to see some green is a marvellous thing and we really pray that there will be some more in the next weeks.

Thanks for your interest Sally. Nice to know you're thinking of us down here. :)

Unfortunately a few days of intermitent rain will not end the drought (I wish it would!). Victoria, SOuth Australia and part of southern NSW are finally getting some rain - but it's about average for this time of year. As we've had below average rain for nigh on 9 years it's going to take months and months of above average rain to solve the problem. No word yet on the irrigation situation for the Murray-Darling, I think they're waiting to see if we get more rain over the next month.

Good responses by Bokhara and maryk.

Yes, the situation is so dire that it will take a very great deal more than this to recover the situation. In Canberra we've been told to expect to go on what's called Stage 4 water restrictions form July. This means that even the restricted garden watering we've been allowed till now will be totally banned, as water storage is at a dangerously low level. Unlike our farmers and those who depend on them my livelihood is not affected, but this might give you some idea of the severity of the situation.

While our climate is generally drier than coastal cities, Canberra's position is not radically different from that of other parts of SE Australia. It can be deceptive - Sydney often gets rain in bucketloads, but not in the catchment areas west of the city, and much of what falls in the city itself runs straight out to sea.

There's some hope that the apparent reversal of the cyclic El Nino/La Nina weather pattern may bring more consistent rains this winter. Whether it's enough to replenish storage facilities is another matter.

One thing the drought has done is to make climate change a headline political issue at last.

That's it Neil, rain doesn't necessarily fall in catchment areas. Brisbane and much of southern and western Qld are still in dire straits; whilst we've had plenty of rain in FNQ, dams as they are, can only hold so much. Increasing population movements are stretching water resources, and fruit and veg prices are going through the roof. Many are going back to the old days and installing rainwater tanks; doesn't sound like a bad idea to me.

Pat, Neil & Mary ... isn't it ironic that the bureaucrats in this country are so deaf & blind as to be unable to see what the rest of us have been trying to show & tell them for decades!
When I bought this house (Syd, Northern beaches) 20 yrs ago, I wanted to put in 2 rainwater tanks & recycle the "grey water" as we'd always done in the country and was EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN TO DO SO! Now, when the water has just about run out, sod all has been done about stopping either the increasing demands of steeply increasing development & population; the waste of stormwater racing to the sea or the dire need
for replacement & maintenance of existing water infrastructure, let alone the development of any medium or long range plans ........ we are now allowed to put in rain water tanks & recycle! Yes, of course, it's a good thing they've FINALLY woken up ... and I know even omnipotent pollies can't make it rain... but good grief! What have we got to do in this country to get people in policy making positions who can actually THINK ??????

Sorry for hijacking your thread, SnRS; the issue of water & brainless bureaucrats is one of my "hot spots". ;) Bokhara

We have wondered about desalination as a help to no rain. There is a lot of ocean around Australia! But maybe the coast isn't where the problem is? Bokhara, stupid politicians seem to be everywhere. It must be a prerequisite for seeking office. I hope the rains continue to fall.
Sally in Seattle

Hear hear Bokhara - totally agree with your sentiments.

Here in Brisbane I feel that someone has just fallen asleep on the job. They are now talking about Level 6 restrictions. What does that leave - rationing?

Seattle - they are currently building a desalination plant at the Gold Coast (I think!!) but alas that takes time to build. They are also building a water pipeline from the north (qld) to feed us here in the south (qld) but that too will take quite some time to complete.

It's panic stations here to get things finished and I just think someone should have realised our dilemma much, much sooner. I have to be honest when I say that this water crisis has me very, very worried indeed.

Not to let the bureaucrats off the hook (and my disclaimer is that I'm married to one), but I think the buck stops with the pols. After a while any sensible bureaucrat realises that there's no future in telling his or her masters what they don't want to hear - and there's been a lot of ostrich imitations over climate change for a long time now. (I know there's a view that the drought has nothing to do with global warming, but to me the safest approach is to assume that it has and proceed accordingly.)

Sally, the coast actually is where most of the problem is in terms of immediate human impact, as that's where all our major cities, except Canberra, are. On the other hand, most food is produced inland - the Murray-Darling river basin, for example, where I think 40% of our fruit is grown and which is in danger of grinding to a halt. And needless to say the impacts on country people are dire.

Desalination - a plant is being built at Botany Bay, in Sydney, and I think one is planned to help supply Perth.

Bokhara, it seems that there are problems with "grey water" too. Apparently sewerage systems are designed on the assumption that a certain amount of liquid will be available to shift the solids, and a significant reduction in waste water could lead to blockages. Nothing's ever simple, is it? Can't argue with rainwater tanks, though.

Sally, we live on a farm in southern NSW - about 3000 acres and run a mixed farm - grain, sheep and cattle. This is the worst drought on record and came right on top of a bad one 3 years ago with fairly dry seasons in between. We have had good rain over the last couple of weeks and our crops are just starting to come up.

I read last week that for the major catchment areas around the capital cities it will take about 5 years of above average rainfall to fill some of the dams. Fingers crossed.

Australia is still a great place to travel with many regional areas welcoming visitors to the area to help boost their economies and showcase the many regional attractions this great country has.

Karen, I am glad that things are starting to green up there and will hope and pray for at least 5 more years of above average rainfall. We are still planning on our October trip there, and will contribute to a lot of economies since we are presently booked for 5 weeks!
Sally in Seattle

Sally, enjoy your trip. We have just come back from 4 days down south. We have an exchange student from Germany who is going home shortly and one of the places she wanted to see was the Great Ocean Road - 12 apostles. We also went to Soverign Hill in Ballarat and then back up to Melbourne.

How's Seattle - we drove from Vancouver to Seattle just after Sept 11. Could not get on our flight to Denver to visit our friends so it was recommended that if we drove into the US we would have more chance of getting a flight. Our drive was nice though coming directly through Seattle freeway was a little hairaising.

Enjoy your trip - most areas are now starting to look a little green after some nice rain

We are traveling to NSW in mid August. Do you think this drought will negatively affect weather that time of year? Appreciate feedback...thanks!

pajodeka, what would you consider a negative effect?

Also, where in NSW? It's a big place with climatic conditions ranging from subtropical to alpine to desert and everything in between.

For what it's worth, a long-range weather forecaster, Ken Ring, who's alleged to have predicted last week's heavy rains (to the day!) two years ago claims that while in his view the drought is over, at least until 2012, NSW will enter a dry spell of a few months' duration in August. Obviously I can't vouch for this, and the "current affairs" show he appeared on last night ("Today Tonight") is a dubious proposition at best, but you never know. Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/2sksgk