Drought in Greater Oconee, South Carolina

After an extended period of abnormally dry weather during much of 2016, in which record low annual rainfall amounts were observed in some areas (deficits of 15 to 20 inches), Upstate South Carolina finally saw a month of near-to-above normal precipitation during January 2017. This resulted in shrinking of the extreme drought area to the Georgia border counties, where levels remained well below normal on all area streams and reservoirs were several feet below target elevations. All communities continued to observe at least voluntary water restrictions.