Report on Drought in the Itchen

This report highlights the need for early identification and public notification of drought periods in order that water supplies, particularly those stored in Hampshire’s chalk aquifer, can be conserved.

Here Dr Martin Burton outlines a proposed approach for early prediction of potential droughts and associated damaging low flows occurring in August, September and October using cumulative rainfall analysis.  This analysis sums rainfall occurring between 1st September and 31st May and compares the total cumulative figure with the lowest flow levels and duration of low flow periods.