Droughts do not have the immediate effects of floods, but sustained droughts can cause economic stress on the entire State. A drought lasting 1-3 months is considered to be short term; 4-6 months, intermediate; and more than 6 months, long term. Recent droughts in Georgia have severely affected municipal and industrial water supplies, stream-water quality, recreation at major reservoirs, hydropower generation, navigation, and agricultural and forest resources. NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) historical record on droughts in Georgia has recorded 57 droughts in 54 years. This equates to greater than a 100% chance in any given year that part of Georgia will experience drought conditions.