The word “drought” is a relative term, and is defined differently by different regions and sources. Webster’s DictionaryTim McCabe/Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS defines drought as “a long period of no rain”; though this is an inadequate definition for the water supply industry. Wikipedia describes drought in stages and effects: “As a drought persists, the conditions surrounding it gradually worsen and its impact on the local population gradually increases. Droughts go through three stages before their ultimate cessation.