About the program

The purpose of the Living with Drought Program is to promote understanding of drought by connecting citizens natural resource managers to essential drought information, current research and resources that help to address and assess the impacts of drought in Nevada. The Living with Drought website also provides a one-stop-shop for homeowners, gardeners, farmers, ranchers, natural resource managers and others to find all the information they need, including current drought status information; data and tools that can be used track and report drought impacts; and information about the basic types and causes of drought.

Report a drought impact

The program also facilitates drought impact reporting and landscape condition monitoring (e.g. low reservoir levels, poor rangeland conditions, increased groundwater use). This locally sourced data is used by scientists to better understand drought conditions across the Silver State, which helps to characterize local, regional and national depictions of drought. Collectively, these reports serve to improve drought assessment and reduce vulnerability to drought faced by individuals, communities, species and environments. If you would like to share local knowledge with others and communicate key issues of concern, please consider submitting a report. You can find more information on the Living with Drought website.

Program partners

Desert Research Institute, Eden Extension Disaster Network, Farm Service Agency Nevada, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nevada Department of Agriculture, Nevada Division of Emergency Management, Nevada Division of Water Resources, Nevada State Climate Office, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Truckee Meadows Water Authority

 
News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...
nevada sunset
Climate Change Impacts in Nevada
Summarized in this fact sheet are specific details about how climate change has already and will continue to impact the state of Nevada and strategies that can be used to prepare for these changes.
McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K., Dettinger, M., McEvoy, D., Kalansky, J., Cayan, D., Lachniet, M., Moser, S., VanderMolen, K., Wall, T. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno FS-21-06
Drought and Fire in Nevada: Is fire risk higher during drought?
This short factsheet describes the relationship between fire and drought in Nevada. It contradicts the common misperception that drought always leads to more fire and provides detailed information about how drought relates to fire in different kinds of ecosystems.
Davis, A., McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K.J. 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno Factsheet
snow in the sierras
Nevada's Weather and Climate
Weather and climate are related, but they are not the same. The difference between weather and climate is time. Practically speaking, weather determines which clothes you decide to put on today, but climate determines the type of clothes that are in your closet.
Ormerod, Kerri Jean; McAfee, Stephanie 2017, Extension | Fact Sheet 17-04
non-potable water sign
Reclaimed Water: Uses and Definitions
Reclaimed water is commonly defined as treated municipal wastewater that is able to be used again, a practice known as water reuse. Municipal water reuse in the United States occurs mostly in California, Florida, Arizona and Texas; but it is growing in other states, including Nevada.
Ormerod, K.J., Redman, S., and Singletary, L. 2020, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno FS-20-34
Tips for Keeping Your Landscape Plants Alive During a Drought
A brief list of tips on how to protect your landscape during drought.
Kratsch, H. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Blog
Men shoveling pine needles into a trailer
What is defensible space and how do I create some around my home?
University experts help homeowners to make homes more fire safe
Smith, E. and Andrews, A. 2019, Nevada Today
Photo of houses surrounded by burned landscape with a view of Lake Tahoe in the distance
Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide
This Guide includes specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing components of a home to withstand wildfire.
Restaino, C., Kocher, S., Shaw, N., Hawks, S., Murphy, C., Quarles, S. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-20-11

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