historic droughts

Historic droughts are prolonged periods of below-average rainfall that significantly affect water supply and agriculture. They can lead to crop failures, food shortages, and water scarcity for communities. Notable examples include the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, which devastated American farming, and the severe drought in California from 2011 to 2017. Factors contributing to droughts include climate variability, changes in land use, and human impacts on water systems. Droughts can have long-lasting economic, environmental, and social effects, often prompting changes in water management policies and conservation efforts to mitigate future risks.