Although there's a bit of water in Wilkes County creeks and there's hay finally worth cutting, the area is still in extreme drought conditions and water users are being asked to conserve before severe measures have to be taken.

In a public statement last week, State Climatologist David Stooksbury said although Tropical Storm Fay brought beneficial rain to Georgia in late August, a very dry September has led to the return of low stream flows across the state and worsened drought conditions. "All streams in Georgia except those originating in the extreme southern counties are extremely low. Most streams in the state's northern half are at or near record low flows for this time of the year."

Farm ponds are showing the lack of rain, he said. "Beef and dairy producers are having to move cattle for drinking water purposes or find alternative water sources. Low soil moisture in the fall can be good for harvesting some crops. But not all farmers benefit from the dry conditions. The dry weather will likely prevent some from getting another cutting of hay. It will also inhibit the planting of small grains and over seeding of pastures."

Stooksbury said that the probability for meaningful drought relief over the next couple of weeks is low. "October is still in the tropical storm season. But the likelihood of tropical weather impacting Georgia diminishes rapidly as the month progresses."

Because of the extremely low stream flows, many counties have had their drought level classification changed to a more intense drought level. Extreme drought conditions occur about once in 50 years.

That means that restrictions on outdoor water use are still in force in the city of Washington, City Administrator Mike Eskew said. "We and Wilkes County are still in extreme drought conditions and strict outdoor water-use rules still apply. Hand watering will be allowed for 25 minutes per day on an odd-even schedule between midnight and 10 a.m."

By the plan, odd-numbered addresses in Washington can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even numbered addresses can water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Hand watering is defined as one person with one garden hose.

Washington still has water from its two sources, Eskew said, "but without rain soon we'll be in lots of trouble, and we'll have to take severe measures. People need to conserve water with the same conscious effort we're putting into saving gas. It's that important."

Eskew said that the current low water levels brought on by the 50- year drought point up the wisdom of having both Clarks Hill and Beaverdam Creek for the city to draw from, he said. "This is why the Washington City Council recently voted to spend the money to refurbish both of the city's water pumping stations - to keep the advantage of drawing water from two sources."

The region now in extreme drought includes Wilkes County, and is north and east of a line from Burke, Jefferson, Washington, Hancock, Putnam, Morgan, Walton, Gwinnett, north Fulton, Cherokee, Pickens and Murray counties. This includes the cities of Athens, Augusta, Gainesville and Madison.

The biggest concerns over the next several weeks, Stooksbury said, will be stream flows and soil moisture. "In the Savannah River basin, Clarks Hill Reservoir only has 2.78 feet of usable pool remaining, Lake Russell 1.31 feet and Lake Hartwell 19.57 feet. Since Lake Hartwell is at the top of the basin, its water will be used to support downstream reservoirs and other water needs. Lake Hartwell's water level is expected to drop significantly over the next several weeks."