Division of Water
STATE ISSUES WATER SHORTAGE WARNING FOR HARLAN, LETCHER AND PIKE COUNTIES

The Kentucky Division of Water has issued a water shortage warning for Harlan County, Letcher County and the Elkhorn Creek watershed in Pike County due to drought-related water supply shortages.

A precipitation deficit of 16 to 18 inches has resulted in low-flow conditions in creeks that are the sources for many local water supplies. Drought conditions in the southeastern region of Kentucky are currently categorized as “exceptional” by the U.S. Drought Monitor.   The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center indicates that there will be no significant likelihood for improvement over the next three months.

A water shortage warning alerts citizens in the affected area that the availability of water has reached a critically low level and that a shortage of potable water may result. Citizens in the warning area should reduce water use and make every effort to participate fully in all water shortage response actions.

Water shortage warnings issued Aug. 9 for Warren County and Sept. 7 for Simpson and Magoffin counties remain in effect.

Water shortage watches for 64 counties issued June 14 and extended Sept. 7 also remain in effect. A water shortage watch is issued when drought conditions have the potential to threaten the normal availability of drinking water supply sources.

 Counties for which the water shortage watch is in effect:

Western Climatic Division – Muhlenberg and Ohio.
Central Climatic Division – Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland,
Edmonson, Green, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Russell and Taylor.
Bluegrass Climatic Division – Anderson, Bath, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin,
Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Nicholas, Owen,
Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Washington and Woodford.
Eastern Climatic Division – Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Knott,
Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, McCreary, Menifee, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell,
Pulaski, Rockcastle, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.

Counties for which the water shortage warning is in effect:

Western Climatic Division – Simpson
Central Climatic Division – Warren
Eastern Climatic Division – Magoffin, Harlan and Pike (Elkhorn Creek watershed)

For more information on drought conditions, water availability and conservation tips,
visit the Division of Water drought Web site at: http://www.water.ky.gov/wateruse/drought/