Low streamflow conditions in the western states during 1987

Drought conditions prevailed throughout the States of California , Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington during the summer of 1987. Streamflows were the lowest since the drought of 1977. Many streams had less discharge in August-September 1987 than in August-September of 1977. At some sites flows for July, August, and September were the minimum ever recorded for those months. The reason for the low flows, which occurred in spite of near normal precipitation for the 1987 water year (October 1, 1986 to September 30, 1987) were low winter snowpack, unseasonably early melt of that snowpack, and prolonged periods of well-above-average temperatures. (Author 's abstract)