Drought

Reservoirs in central and southern Utah are going dry, threatening irrigation supplies. Farmers reported planting a variety of corn that grows rapidly to help conserve water, while livestock producers are needing to buy feed. Producers across the entire state have been affected. FOX 13 (Utah). Sept. 2, 2025.

Vermont's apple harvest may be 25% smaller than normal this year after a dry summer. One grower in Shoreham reported watering his trees daily this summer, and expects a 16% loss compared to last year. WCAX CBS3 (Vermont). Sept 3, 2025.

Drought stress has caused some Maine trees to lose their leaves several weeks early this year. Aspen and birch have been more susceptible, as are trees located on ridge tops. Maine Public (Maine). Sept. 3, 2025.

Recreation businesses in New Hampshire report that low river levels have changed their operations. One business owner has switching to tubing and kayaking as opposed to their most popular trip which is whitewater rafting. Another says that paddling trips are taking about 25% longer than usual, and tourists occasionally have to pull their boats, but they still seem satisfied with the trips. Wildfire risks have also increased, with fires in the eastern part of the state. Monadnock Ledger-Transcript (New Hampshire). Sept. 3, 2025.

A flash drought in Ohio has affected agriculture state-wide. Corn and soybeans have begun early senescence, while specialty crops such as tomatoes, cucurbits, peppers, and apples have signs on nutrient deficiency and drought stress. Yields for these crops as well as forages are expected to be low. Surface water for livestock is also drying up, so producers are turning to rural water systems and hauling water. Morning Ag Clips (New York). Sept. 3, 2025.

The Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District, covering the Yakima Valley in Washington, has started a new conservation program in which growers can voluntarily fallow land so water can go to other farmers and local fisheries. Growers who opt into the program are financially compensated. Apple Valley News Now (Washington). Sept. 2, 2025.

A flash drought has developed in the Ozarks, causing leaves to change color in response to stress. Trees are able to conserve water by losing leaves early. Ozarks First (Missouri). Sept. 2, 2025.

Level 1 watering restrictions were implemented in the town of Kremmling, Colorado, after being approved on Aug. 20. Under the restrictions, Town Parks will be watered every third day (at most). Even-numbered and odd-numbered addresses will alternate which days they are allowed to use municipal water or outside uses. Sky-Hi News (Colorado), Sept. 2, 2025.

Twenty counties in northern and western New York and Long Island were in a drought watch issued by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Conservation. The 20 counties include Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Warren, Wayne, and northern Cayuga. The public, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, was urged to conserve water. WKTV (Utica, N.Y.), Aug 29, 2025

A Franklin business that offers excursions on three local rivers was focusing more on tubing and slower moving kayaks rather than the popular whitewater rafting on the Winnipesaukee River. Some stretches of the river were so low that one could walk across it. Paddling trips on the Saco River were slower, too, taking about 25% longer than usual. Recreationists were warned that they may have to drag their boats. New Hampshire Public Radio (Concord, N.H.), Aug 29, 2025

Some New England trees were already turning color and dropping their leaves due to the dry weather. NBC Boston (Mass.), Aug 29, 2025

Wells were running dry in New Hampshire, and some communities have enacted outdoor watering bans. River levels were low statewide, which poses challenges for the fish. New Hampshire Public Radio (Concord, N.H.), Aug 29, 2025 Many community water systems in New Hampshire have banned outdoor watering to conserve water, according to Ted Diers, assistant director of the water division at New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The Boston Globe, Aug 21, 2025

Temperatures were well above average with no measurable rainfall in eastern portions of Far West Texas. Scattered showers across the west tempered the impacts of prevailing hot and windy conditions. The cotton crop looked healthy with minimal pest pressure; however, it had begun to lose yield potential as bolls were beginning to set. Corn and sorghum matured and needed a little more time to dry down before harvest. Melon harvest was mostly complete, and most fields were not producing enough to justify harvest crews. Alfalfa looked good, but recent rainfall encouraged weeds and grass to grow. Pecans made good progress and were filling nicely. Insecticides were being applied to combat pecan weevils. Pastures dried up significantly, and cattle were starting to lose condition, leading to more supplemental feeding. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 26, 2025 Hot, dry conditions persisted across Far West Texas with impacts visible across agriculture. Fields have become very dry, and crops were showing stress by midday. Corn was finishing and drying down for harvest. Sorghum had mostly headed out, and diminished yields were expected. High temperatures significantly stressed the cotton crop, especially the earlier crop that was loaded with bolls or in peak bloom. Haygrazer had headed out. Healthy melon harvests continued. Pastures were drying up, and livestock were losing condition despite supplementation. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 12, 2025

Conditions in South Texas were hot and extremely humid with periodic showers. Topsoil and subsoil conditions were very poor in some areas. Fieldwork for strawberries continued, and vegetable producers harvested squash and okra. A few late-planted grain sorghum fields should be harvested over the week. Most cotton was harvested, but some fields were still blooming and progressing under irrigation. Sunflowers were almost ready for harvest, and some producers were preparing fields for fall vegetable planting. Cabbage conditions were fair. Pecan trees looked green, but another low production year was anticipated. Peanut crops continued to progress under irrigation. Sesame harvest continued with above-average yields reported. Range and pasture conditions declined, and some counties implemented burn bans. Some livestock producers were culling herds and providing supplemental feed to maintain good body condition scores. Beef cattle prices remained high, and supplies remained low. Wildlife were in good condition overall, with deer producers providing supplemental feed. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 26, 2025 Conditions in South Texas were hot and dry. Temperature highs were above 100 degrees in some counties. The high temperatures and dry conditions were beginning to impact all crops. Corn, sunflower and sorghum harvests wrapped up and several fields of sorghum were made into hay. Hay producers continued to make hay. Fieldwork for strawberries continued. Vegetable producers continued with a slow harvest. Okra was doing fair. Irrigation in citrus orchards continued. Peanut crops continued to progress under irrigation and were in the pegging stage. Cotton fields were showing signs of stress due to extreme heat but holding up under irrigation as bolls were opening. Pasture and range conditions continued to decline with lack of rainfall. Livestock were in good condition, but supplemental feeding was necessary. Local livestock markets continued to offer average volumes with strong prices for all classes of beef cattle. Ranchers were busy weaning and selling late-winter and spring calves and wrapping up baling hay. Wildlife producers were preparing for hunting season. Falcon Lake levels remained low. Some producers were providing water to ponds for cattle and wildlife. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 12, 2025

Cooler temperatures arrived in Southwest Texas. High winds were reported in the middle of the week, but damage was minimal. Precipitation averaged 1 inch for the week, and soil moisture was good. Sorghum harvest was completed, and corn harvest was wrapping up. Other row crops were being harvested as well. Pecan crops looked good, but more rain was needed for the nuts to fill. Elevated temperatures continued to stress pastures and rangelands, and all hay work was at a standstill. Supplemental feeding of livestock resumed, and livestock markets were steady. Breeding season should begin soon. Deer and other wildlife were in mostly good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 26, 2025 Hot and dry weather continued in Southwest Texas with some spotty showers reported. Temperatures reached 100 degrees on several days. The heat and wind have dried out topsoil. Corn and sorghum harvests continued with below average yields reported. Hay harvest continued. Some producers were preparing for fall planting season. Webworm nests began to show in trees and pecan orchards, but pest loads appeared light so far. Overall, pecans were still green and developing well. The hot, dry conditions led to declines in grasses, and many cattle herds were being fed hay and supplemental feed. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Livestock producers were shipping some spring calves to the sale barn to take advantage of the current high prices. Livestock were grazing but seeking shade and water. Cattle producers were being advised to reduce stocking rates as much as possible to save forage. Acorn crops still looked good. Wildlife was showing some signs of stress due to declining conditions. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 12, 2025

The fire danger was increasing in New Hampshire with fires across the eastern part of the state from the North Country to the Seacoast. State fire safety officials urged the public to be cautious before striking a match and checking in with the local fire department. New Hampshire Public Radio (Concord, N.H.), Aug 29, 2025 New Hampshire fire departments were asking the public to exercise caution with all fires outdoors as the wildfire danger was rising. Rainfall in much of the state has been about half of normal since the middle of June. Concord Monitor (N.H.), Aug 8, 2025

Beginning around September 5, Maui’s Department of Water Supply will start to use water from Hamakuapoko Wells 1 and 2. This will supplement the Upcountry water system, according to the County of Maui’s website. The well water will be used because Piʻiholo Reservoir has low surface water as the area was in drought. Hoodline Honolulu (Hawaii), Aug 28, 2025

Some domestic wells were running dry in the Lolo Creek watershed. The mountain snowpack melted quickly, leaving little water to keep the stream flowing through the summer. Irrigators needed water for hay and livestock. Some people continued to water their dry lawns, drawing down the aquifer. Missoula Current (Mont.), Aug 28, 2025

Bears have been more of a problem than usual in La Plata County this summer because the area was in drought, which reduced the amount of natural food available for the bruins, so they wandered into inhabited areas in search of food. Experts also note a mix of environmental factors, inefficient bear-management plans, funding cuts and uninformed residents and visitors as reasons for the increase. The Cortez Journal (Colo.), Aug 28, 2025

The lowest section of Lolo Creek between U.S. Highway 93 and the confluence with the Bitterroot River has gone dry, killing hundreds of fish. Beaver dams were the only places where fish and frogs were still able to live. Minks and other animals were feasting on brown trout, rainbow trout, whitefish, and crayfish. Missoula Current (Mont.), Aug 28, 2025