Final answer:
The drought of the 1990s had a significant impact on attempts to improve water planning, increasing the focus on groundwater depletion and the need for water conservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drought of the 1990s had a significant impact on attempts to improve water planning. One of the major effects was increased focus on groundwater depletion. As surface water sources, such as rivers and lakes, became depleted due to overuse, attention shifted towards tapping into underground aquifers for water supply. This led to an escalation in the drilling of wells, leading to localized drops in the water table known as a 'cone of depression'.
The drought also highlighted the need for water conservation. As water scarcity became more prevalent, conservation measures became a priority in order to reduce water usage and ensure sustainable water management.
However, it should be noted that the drought of the 1990s did not directly result in accelerated reservoir construction. While reservoirs can help store water during wet periods, they are not a direct solution to water planning and can have negative ecological impacts.