Recreation and Tourism
Drought impacts the tourism and recreation sectors both directly and indirectly, and affects the sectors during all seasons. Lower water levels or snowpack affects the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy locally, regionally, and potentially nationally.
This map shows U.S. reservoirs experiencing drought, according to the current U.S. Drought Monitor. Reservoir data is recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey.
This map shows U.S. ski resorts experiencing drought, according to the current U.S. Drought Monitor. Ski resorts include data from NOAA's National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC), as well as the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).
This map shows U.S. national parks experiencing drought, according to the current U.S. Drought Monitor. National park data is recorded by the National Park Service.
Periods of drought can lead to inadequate water supply, threatening the health, safety, and welfare of communities. Streamflow, groundwater, reservoir, and snowpack data are key to monitoring and forecasting water supply.
Learn MoreExtreme weather events can interact or cascade—where one disaster event triggers or changes the probability of another event. For example, drought conditions can increase the probability of large-scale wildfires, and droughts are often accompanied by extreme heat. By including drought in multi-hazard planning, a community can consolidate its resources and develop coordinated responses before a disaster.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreDrought can alter the ecological balance of natural systems and harm fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as the benefits that these ecosystems provide to human communities. The environmental consequences of drought include losses in plant growth; increases in fire and insect outbreaks; altered rates of carbon, nutrient, and water cycling; and local species extinctions.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreReservoirs in Drought
Ski Resorts in Drought
National Parks in Drought
This map shows U.S. reservoirs experiencing drought, according to the current U.S. Drought Monitor. Reservoir data is recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey.
This map shows U.S. ski resorts experiencing drought, according to the current U.S. Drought Monitor. Ski resorts include data from NOAA's National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC), as well as the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).
This map shows U.S. national parks experiencing drought, according to the current U.S. Drought Monitor. National park data is recorded by the National Park Service.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated weekly on Thursdays, with data valid through the previous Tuesday at 7 a.m. ET.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated weekly on Thursdays, with data valid through the previous Tuesday at 7 a.m. ET.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated weekly on Thursdays, with data valid through the previous Tuesday at 7 a.m. ET.
Periods of drought can lead to inadequate water supply, threatening the health, safety, and welfare of communities. Streamflow, groundwater, reservoir, and snowpack data are key to monitoring and forecasting water supply.
Learn MoreExtreme weather events can interact or cascade—where one disaster event triggers or changes the probability of another event. For example, drought conditions can increase the probability of large-scale wildfires, and droughts are often accompanied by extreme heat. By including drought in multi-hazard planning, a community can consolidate its resources and develop coordinated responses before a disaster.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreDrought can alter the ecological balance of natural systems and harm fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as the benefits that these ecosystems provide to human communities. The environmental consequences of drought include losses in plant growth; increases in fire and insect outbreaks; altered rates of carbon, nutrient, and water cycling; and local species extinctions.
Learn MoreIn a drought, lower water levels or snowpack can affect the availability of recreational activities and associated tourism, and a resulting loss of revenue can severely impact supply chains and the economy. Drought—as well as negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires—may also result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales.
Learn MoreReduction in Available Activities
Drought affects activities that are dependent on water or snow, such as boating and skiing. Indirect effects include reduced revenues for tourism- and recreation-dependent local economies and resulting mental health impacts related to economic losses, particularly for small business owners.
Wildfire
There is an increased risk for wildfires during drought, which can have a major impact on tourism and outdoor recreation. Limited access and public perceptions of danger can lead to fewer visitors and, therefore, lost revenue from tourism.
Degradation of Water Resources
Drought can result in poorer water quality, low streamflow, and reduced snowpack. These impacts limit activities, increase the risk for contracting waterborne disease, and shorten the season for outdoor recreation and tourism.
Hunting and Fishing
Drought alters wildlife populations and behavior, which can impact hunting and fishing.
Drought Impacts on Recreation and Tourism
The outdoor recreation industry contributes 2.2% of the U.S. national gross domestic product, contributing—depending on how you define the scope—between $427 and $887 billion dollars annually to the U.S. economy.
Water resources are key to all forms of outdoor recreation. Drought directly affects snow sports, such as skiing and snowmobiling, and activities conducted on rivers and lakes, such as boating, rafting, canoeing, fishing, and swimming, due to reductions in snowpack and streamflows. In addition, activities such as biking, hiking, and camping also rely on sufficient water. Drought conditions can result in shortened or shifted seasons for these activities (Thomas et al. 2013).
Drought, as well as recreationists’ negative perceptions of drought, fire bans, or wildfires, may result in decreased visitations, cancellations in hotel stays, a reduction in booked holidays, or reduced merchandise sales. Reduced revenues in the sector can negatively impact the livelihood of communities and the many small outdoor recreation businesses that have limited resources to manage the financial burden of drought. This, in turn, impacts the mental health of small business owners, staff, and communities.
Lower water quality during drought conditions can increase risk for contracting waterborne disease, and lower water levels can result in increased risk for injury during recreational activities. Drought also affects wildlife, which can adversely impact wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities.
NIDIS is supporting multiple research projects with the ultimate goal of helping the recreation and tourism sector build resilience to drought. The completed project, Drought and Outdoor Recreation: Impacts, Adaptation Strategies, and Information Gaps in the Intermountain West, examines how drought impacts business operations for water-based outdoor recreation businesses, adaptation strategies of the businesses, current drought and weather information use, and drought information needs. A newly funded project, Improving Drought Indicators to Support Drought Impact Mitigation for Natural Resource Management, will investigate the relationships between indicators, thresholds, triggers, and impacts within economic sectors that fall under the purview of natural resource management, including recreation.
Drought Early Warning for the Recreation and Tourism Sector
Drought can have far-reaching impacts on recreation and tourism, including reduced availability of outdoor recreation activities (e.g., skiing), decreased visitation due to perceptions of drought, and loss of revenue to businesses, communities, and government agencies. Early warning and proactive preparation for drought are essential for businesses and communities to mitigate these impacts and be resilient to drought. The resources below are organized by the key components of a drought early warning system: (1) drought observation and monitoring; (2) drought planning and preparedness; (3) prediction and forecasting of drought; (4) communication and outreach to the public and affected sectors; and (5) interdisciplinary and applied research on topics of concern to drought-affected sectors.
Planning & Preparedness
Prediction & Forecasting
Communication & Outreach
Interdisciplinary Research & Applications
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