2010 Metro Mitigation Plan

DROUGHT
Risk – Low; Vulnerability – Low
Drought impacts may include physical, bio- physical, social and economic consequences.
Physically, there may be a reduction in water supply for drinking, domestic, and irrigation
purposes with a subsequent impact of increased pumping costs. The ground water level may
be depleted and the flow of perennial water sources reduced. Bio-physical impacts include
damage to crop quantity and quality, damage to wildlife habitat and wildlife, an increase in
invasive/noxious weeds, and the deterioration of water quality. Economically, there may be a
loss in livestock production and increased prices for commodities.
The seasonal outlook as prepared by the Climate Prediction Center, does not predict that the
Metro area is likely to enter a period of drought in the near future.
The main water supply is the Cumberland River. The two water treatment plants, Omohundro
and K. R. Harrington, have a daily capacity output of 162 million gallons per day. On an
average day, both plants pump 78 million gallons. If one plant is out of service, the other can
supply the entire community’s water needs.
Metropolitan Nashville - Davidson County
Vulnerability Assessment
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 4-85
April 2010