Drought

A drought is a long period of time with very little rain or snow. Droughts can last for weeks, months, or even years. They affect farmers, animals, and whole communities. As the climate changes, droughts are becoming more common in many parts of the world.

Effects of Drought

When drought hits, rivers and lakes can dry up. Crops wither in the fields because there is not enough water to grow. Animals struggle to find water to drink. Dry conditions also make wildfires more likely. Droughts can cause food prices to go up because less food is grown.

Saving Water

During a drought, saving water becomes very important. People can take shorter showers and fix leaky faucets. Farmers use drip irrigation to water plants with less waste. Cities sometimes limit how much water people can use. Everyone can help by being careful about how much water they use every day.

Fun Facts

• The Dust Bowl in the 1930s was one of the worst droughts in American history and lasted nearly a decade.
• A single leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water in a year!
• Some trees can survive drought by dropping their leaves to save water.

Did You Know?

Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, has dropped to record low levels because of a long drought in the western states!