Socio-economic drought assessment in Lake Mead, USA, based on a multivariate standardized water-scarcity index. Issue 5 (4th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edalat, Mohammad Masih; Stephen, Haroon
• Is Part Of: Hydrological sciences journal. Volume 64:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 555
• Page End: 569
• Publication Date: 2019-04-04
• Subjects: socio-economic drought -- water scarcity -- multivariate standardized water-scarcity index -- Lake Mead -- USA; Hydrology -- Periodicals; 551.4805
• DOI: 10.1080/02626667.2019.1593988
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0262-6667

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Drought events are increasing worldwide. Socio-economic drought is the least investigated type of drought, and is the only type for which water demand is taken into consideration. In this research, socio-economic drought was studied in Lake Mead, USA, using a multivariate standardized water-scarcity index (MSWSI) over the period 1990–2014, combining two water-scarcity indices based on time series of inflow, outflow, reservoir storage, and water demand. The inflow and outflow were determined from streamgage data, and reservoir storage from lake level data; demand was based on water pumped by the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Missing observations in input streamgage data were filled through regression modeling. The results indicate that Lake Mead has been in socio-economic drought since 2000, with the most severe drought occurring between 2006 and 2012, and the highest intensity drought in April–July 2014. The Lake Mead droughts revealed through the MSWSI are consistent with those reported in US Drought Monitor (USDM) products. The temporal behavior of MSWSI provides an insight into the socio-economic effects of droughts not captured by USDM products.