Drought

Drought across Nebraska left the Missouri and Platte rivers at low flows, reducing the flood concern. However, dry conditions were causing problems for farmers. The Nebraska Farm Bureau president, who farms in Merrick County in the east central part of the state, noted that conditions were as dry as they have ever been this spring and thought that there may be too little soil moisture to germinate seed. While the subsoil held some moisture last year, this year it did not. The ground was too hard in some areas to get the planter in the ground. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.), April 29, 2023

The City of Norton is enacting water restrictions early on Friday, April 28 rather than waiting until Memorial Day. The city is adopting the order due to “circumstances and conditions adversely affecting the normal usage of water which include the scheduled maintenance of the water tower and the extreme drought conditions affecting Northwest Kansas.” KFDI 101.3 FM (Wichita, Kan.), April 27, 2023

Water conservation is recommended in South Florida as rainfall for the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County has been about 25% of normal since January. WFLX-TV FOX 29 West Palm Beach (Fla.), April 10, 2023

The Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands is enduring its worst drought in the past decade. Local wildlife officials claim that the conditions can be beneficial for animals at the wetlands and wildlife management. The lack of rain has allowed workers to complete the pool renovation work. Vegetation has the opportunity to reestablish itself. Drought allows the land time to readjust and go through natural processes that are necessary for Cheyenne Bottoms. Soils can consolidate, and the wind can whisk away excess silt. KSNT-TV NBC 27 Topeka (Kan.), April 13, 2023

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen issued an executive order banning all open fires from April 13 through April 16. The need for the ban will be reassessed. News Channel Nebraska (Nebraska City, Neb.), April 13, 2023

The winter wheat crop in the Texas Panhandle is a complete failure for lack of moisture. One farmer attested that the little dryland wheat that did come up on his Ochiltree County farm died in December, due to a combination of drought and cold temperatures. The farmer does not intend to plant any dryland cotton this year. Irrigated crops have required more water than usual. A Lipscomb County farmer noted the dry conditions and blowing dust. He also shared a U.S. Drought Monitor map with his followers on Instagram and urged them to pray for rain from Kansas to Texas. SF | Successful Farming Online (Des Moines, Iowa), April 14, 2023

The City of Marco Island will allow irrigation just twice weekly through Aug. 1 to conserve water. Freshwater canal levels across Cape Coral are extremely low. FOX4Now (Cape Coral, Fla.), April 11, 2023 Irrigation restrictions took effect for the city of Marco Island through the end of August. Outdoor watering will be allowed just twice weekly rather than thrice. FOX4Now (Cape Coral, Fla.), April 25, 2023

Minimal moisture and windy conditions in northeast and east central Colorado continued to deteriorate winter wheat and pasture conditions. Wind gusts above 40 miles per hour were prevalent in northeastern counties last week. Most counties remained dry, but an unexpected snow event brought moisture to the foothills and the Denver Metro area. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 26, 2023 Minimal moisture and windy conditions in northeastern and east central Colorado remained an issue for winter wheat and pasture conditions. Most counties remained dry, but isolated moisture was received around the Denver Metro area, as well as portions of Arapahoe and Elbert Counties. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 18, 2023 Blowing topsoil in northeast and east central Colorado remained an issue for winter wheat and pastures due to windy conditions. Most counties remained dry, but isolated moisture was received around the Palmer Divide. Pastures remained slow to green up and lack of consistent moisture was a concern. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 12, 2023

Warm weather has progressed green up, but winter wheat growth is behind normal. In the San Luis Valley, moisture conditions worsened and much of the district is abnormally dry according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Fieldwork continued and seed potato planting started last week. Barley planting progressed quickly last week among dry conditions, but still fell behind the 5-year average. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 26, 2023 San Luis Valley pastures remained slow to green up and lack of consistent moisture was a concern. Lack of moisture and cold soil temperatures continued to hinder pasture growth. No measurable moisture has been received since March and high winds remained an issue. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 18, 2023 No moisture was received in the San Luis Valley last week and high winds remained an issue. Some producers were replanting barley. Fieldwork continued ahead of potato planting, but soil temperatures remained cold. The Prowers Journal (Lamar, Colo.), April 12, 2023

An Alfalfa County rancher has found an innovative, but labor-intensive way, of raising cattle that keeps the cattle in fresh grass. The herd is grass-fed, and no fertilizer is used on the pasture. The grasses, which are fertilized with cow manure and urine, are clover, rye, Bermuda and some native. The rancher moves a cord three to four times a day to move the cattle around. The grass regrows so there is newly grown grass for the cattle to eat. Enid News & Eagle (Okla.), April 22, 2023

A Washington County wheat grower stated that he anticipated having to abandon 20% to 30% of his wheat. Conditions were worse the further west one travels in Kansas. KSNT-TV NBC 27 Topeka (Kan.), April 24, 2023

Gov. Justice issued a ban on all outdoor burning across West Virginia until further notice as drought conditions, combined with dry and windy weather, increase the fire danger. Hundreds of blazes have occurred across the state this year, leading to an uptick in fire calls. WDTV-TV CBS 5 (Clarksburg, WV), April 19, 2023

Some farmers in southwest Kansas and the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles considered abandoning the crop as drought conditions intensified over the winter, putting more acres in drought than when winter began. Crop insurance adjusters were flooded with calls. Moisture may limit the yields and production of hard red winter and hard red spring wheat in the U.S., tightening stocks and increasing the likelihood of above-average flour prices in 2023. Food Business News (Kansas City, Mo.), April 24, 2023

The burn ban continued in Polk County. WMFE-FM 90.7 (Orland, Fla.), April 25, 2023 A Polk County wildfire burned more than 650 acres in the last week of March. Although the blaze was contained within a day, the City of Winter Haven Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue opted to issue burn bans prohibiting open burning until further notice. WTVT-TV FOX 13 Tampa Bay (Fla.), March 30, 2023

Orange County adopted a burn ban due to the dry ground and lack of rain. The ban will automatically end when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days. A number of small fires have occurred lately, including one sparked by a birthday candle. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.), March 29, 2023

Water users in the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District have a 15-inch allocation for the 2023 growing season while the area remains in extreme and exceptional drought. If drought conditions improve to severe drought for 14 consecutive days, the restriction would be lifted for locations within the area. Spring well measurements show that wells continue to decline. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), April 25, 2023 The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District imposed water restrictions on anyone with a well in a D3 or D4 area in late October. The LENRD will be closely watching groundwater levels in 2023. WJAG-AM (Norfolk, Neb.), Jan 24, 2023

The Lower Big Blue Natural Resources board intends to meet in May 2023 and discuss the possibility of extending a temporary moratorium on the construction of new wells or increases in irrigated acres. More time is needed to consider management options, review rules and regulations and to assess the geology and aquifer characteristics of the district. The Board of Directors enacted the temporary district-wide moratorium on Dec. 8, 2022, due to concerns about the sustainability of groundwater supplies in the area and the well permitting process allowing for new high-capacity wells in areas of greatest decline amid continuing drought. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), April 24, 2023

Texoma farmers and ranchers remain in the grip of drought. Seeds planted two weeks ago have not sprouted. Some ranchers have gotten rid of cattle. KSWO-TV ABC 7 (Lawton, Okla.), April 20, 2023

Most of Central Florida is in severe drought, causing local officials to worry about more brush fires occurring. In the past month, 42 wildfires have sparked in Central Florida. While the grass is usually green, the Florida Forest Service stated that it’s down to the dirt at present. WESH Online (Orlando, Fla.), April 20, 2023

The Bureau of Reclamation announced full water allocations for north- and south-of-Delta contractors, up from 80% as was stated in March. Bureau of Reclamation (Washington, D.C.), April 20, 2023 Early winter storms in California increased snowpack and improved reservoir levels, initial allocations for the Central Valley Project were increased, but more late winter and early spring rain and snow is still needed. Allocations may be updated as conditions warrant. Contractors serving many farms will get 35% of their contracted supplies, while those with senior water rights will get 100%, as will wildlife refuges. Municipal and industrial contractors have been allocated 75% of their historic use or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater. The Associated Press (New York), Feb 22, 2023 The Bureau of Reclamation urged Central Valley Project water contractors to plan for reduced water allocations as Shasta Reservoir was at 31% of capacity. Consequently, contractors who receive water for municipal and industrial use should begin planning for “potentially extremely limited water supply conditions” in 2023. The Sun-Gazette (Exeter, Calif.), Dec 20, 2022