Drought

Governor Tina Kotek signed an executive order Feb.15, declaring drought emergencies in Crook and Jefferson counties. The declaration lets the state utilize various tools to help water users and also allows the Water Resources Department to expedite review processes and reduce fee schedules. KATU 2 (Portland, Ore.), Feb 16, 2023

Drought permits, or Emergency Use permits, may not be issued to Klamath County farmers and ranchers this year if an emergency drought declaration were to be made as above-ground water sources were too low. Whether permits will be issued depends on precipitation in coming months. Groundwater levels in the Klamath Basin have dropped significantly in recent years, 20 to 30 feet in the last three years, making additional access unsustainable. Jefferson Public Radio (Ashland, Ore.), Feb 10, 2023

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation sent out a letter to water agencies, saying that 2023 was not a critically dry year at present, meaning that agencies with senior water rights could have their water allotments increased compared to 2022. The bureau's determination that 2023 is not a "critical water year," is based on a forecast that at least 4 million acre-feet of water will flow into Lake Shasta from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023. The letter from the Bureau does note, "For the first half of February, precipitation has been well below average which may result in reduced full natural inflows to Shasta Lake on which this declaration is based. Therefore, please take all necessary preparatory actions should conditions change such that the 2023 Year is declared to be a Critical Year." Redding Record Searchlight (Calif.), Feb 20, 2023

Oklahoma wheat growth and development was delayed mainly due to drought, although cold temperatures also factor into it. Forage amounts were also down this year, so producers did not get to graze this fall. Much of Oklahoma’s wheat, especially that intended for forage, was seeded late and was dusted in, due to extreme drought. Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, Okla.), Feb. 20, 2023

Flows from Iron Gate Dam into the Klamath River were reduced by about 11%, according to the Bureau of Reclamation, as years of drought affect water supplies in the region. Water flows will be managed through April 1, while seeking technical input received through weekly Tribal Nation and stakeholder meetings. KATU-TV ABC 2 Portland (Ore.), Feb 15, 2023

Kansas’ hard red wheat has struggled amid dry conditions this winter. As of mid-February, the crop was dormant. Some wheat in western Kansas has not yet germinated for lack of moisture. AgUpdate (Tekamah, Neb.), Feb 15, 2023

A cattle rancher in Molina in Colorado’s Mesa County stated that he can usually grow all of the hay he needs with some left over to sell some years. Hay production was down in 2021 as it was a very dry year. High feed and hay costs forced him to whittle down his herd by 20%. Hay that sold for $100 per ton four years ago was currently selling for close to $300 per ton, putting it out of reach for many livestock producers. Aspen Public Radio (Colo.), Feb 15, 2023

Wichita will receive $6 million from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for construction activities to recharge the Equus Beds Aquifer, one of the city’s primary water sources. Its level has fallen over the years, raising concern about Wichita’s water supply. In response, the city developed the Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery project to artificially recharge the aquifer by diverting water from the Little Arkansas River when it is running high, treating the water and injecting it into the aquifer. Wichita remained in Stage 1 of its drought response plan and asks for voluntary water conservation. KSN-TV News 3 (Wichita, Kan.), Feb 14, 2023

Wichita entered Stage 1 of its drought response plan on Jan. 10. During Stage 1, the city manager urges residents to voluntarily conserve water; the city offers incentives or rebates that encourage water conservation; and the city tries to conserve water in its operations. Cheney Reservoir’s conservation pool was 80% full. Wichita’s drought response actions are based on the 12-month moving average of the conservation pool, which was 89%. KSN-TV News 3 (Wichita, Kan.), Jan 11, 2022

Recent rainfall has nudged Maui County out of drought since the start of the year. The Stage 1 water shortage for West Maui remained in effect, but was no longer due to drought. The Stage 1 water shortage for Upcountry Maui ended on Dec. 27. Maui News (Wailuku, Hawaii), Feb 15, 2023 A Stage 1 water shortage for Upcountry and West Maui remained in effect since June 24. Residents are asked not to use water for nonessential activities, such as lawn or vehicle washing. The Maui News (Wailuku, Hawaii), Jan 17, 2023 Maui has received very little rain this summer, causing the island’s aquifers to recharge more slowly. Maui remains in a Stage 1 water shortage since June 30, affecting the Upcountry and West Maui areas. Drought has also dried the vegetation, increasing the fire danger. USA Today (McLean, Va.), Aug 30, 2022 A Stage One Water Shortage Declaration took effect for Upcountry and West Maui on June 30. Dry conditions and record heat have contributed to depleted reservoirs. The Department of Water Supply anticipates water demand to exceed available water supply by 1% to 15%. KITV-TV ABC 4 Honolulu (Hawaii), July 1, 2022

Drought and sharply higher prices for fertilizer in the U.S. resulted in a smaller hay harvest in 2022. A not-for-profit horse rescue group in Greenville, Florida noted that with the cost of a 900-pound roll of hay rising from $60 to $70 previously, all the way up to $110 to $120, that they were helping some horse owners with hay. WTXL (Tallahassee, Fla.), Feb 13, 2023

Dredging operations on the Mississippi River set records during the 2022-23 season, maintaining the congressionally mandated nine-foot-deep, 300-foot-wide navigation channel and coping with the challenges of widespread drought and prolonged extreme low water in the Mississippi River basin. Dredging operations moved nine million cubic yards of material, at 70 different locations along 300 miles of the St. Louis District. In total, seven dredging units worked throughout the St. Louis District area of responsibility. Two other units, for a total of nine, supported Mississippi Valley Division efforts on the Mississippi River. Normally, an average year results in three to four million cubic yards of material being moved in the St. Louis District by two dredges. US Army Corps of Engineers (Baltimore, Md.), Feb. 13, 2023

The Suffolk County Water Authority is offering an account credit of up to $250 over three years for customers who purchase basic water conservation devices, such as rain sensors, pool covers or smart irrigation devices. Effective Feb. 1, a new directive prohibiting lawn irrigation and other water use activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. took effect, including an odd/even day irrigation schedule for all SCWA customers. The Suffolk Times (Mattituck, N.Y.), Feb 14, 2023

The Aurora City Council considered expected drought conditions and agreed to implement water restrictions this spring if conditions do not change. The council approved a resolution that will enact Stage I water restrictions in May. The city’s reservoirs were at 54% capacity and will likely be at 48% capacity in mid-April. Denver Gazette (Colo.), Feb 13, 2023

Flash drought in June and July 2022 stressed Arkansas farmers and livestock producers. Row crops needed to be irrigated earlier in the season. Grass and hay did not grow well, leading producers to purchase expensive feed or sell cattle. Some livestock owners went out of business. Rice, corn, wheat and soybean yields were down. Drought in Texas and the Southwest led to higher cotton prices in 2022, which prompted more farmers to grow cotton in Arkansas, but the average yield was down 6.6%. Dry conditions allowed 90% of the peanut crop to be harvested by Oct. 31. Talk Business & Politics (Lowell, Ark.), Jan 17, 2023

Senate Bill 191 is intended to prevent HOAs from requiring homeowners to have green lawns during a drought or from fining homeowners for conserving water. The Senate Business & Labor Committee approved the bill unanimously, so the bill will move to the full Senate for a vote. Utah Public Radio (Logan), Feb 13, 2023

A new poll conducted from Jan. 23-30 found that while more than 8 in 10 Utah residents remain concerned about the drought impacting the state, the string of storms this winter that left ample mountain snowpack has eased concern about drought compared to last year. About Utah’s drought, 85% of survey participants were concerned, 14% were not concerned, and another 1% did not know. More than 52% of those polled responded that they were less concerned about drought than last year, 14% were more concerned, 34% were just as concerned and 1% didn’t know. Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah), Feb 12, 2023

A National Cotton Council survey of cotton growers found that drought and rising costs have nudged cotton growers toward planting less cotton and more corn, wheat and soybeans in the hope of bringing in more revenue this year. The National Cotton Council said its survey of growers indicated 11.4 million acres will be planted to cotton this spring, 17% less than last year. Increased production costs, lower consumer demand and supply chain disruptions pose challenges for growers, leading them to cultivate other commodities in 2023. Texas cotton growers indicated that they would plant 6.2 million acres of cotton, down 21% from 2022. SF | Successful Farming Online (Des Moines, Iowa), Feb. 13, 2023

Drought in Massachusetts ended for the Islands, Northeast and Cape Cod Regions on Feb. 13 after five months of normal to above normal precipitation that improved groundwater, streams and lakes in drier areas. All parts of the state were back to normal conditions, according to the Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary. Parts of Massachusetts have experienced drought conditions over the past nine months. WWLP-22 News (Springfield, Mass.), Feb 13, 2023 Parts of Massachusetts remained in drought despite recent rain. The islands were still in Level 2 significant drought, while the Northeast Region and the Connecticut River Valley Region remained in Level 1 mild drought. Martha’s Vineyard Times (Vineyard Haven, Mass.), Nov 16, 2022

Kansas cattle farmers are struggling to find feed for their livestock, with some electing to sell some animals to have fewer to feed. Feed is expensive and scarce, according to an ag expert, who said that the situation could lead to a tightened supply. A livestock auction manager in Syracuse in western Kansas stated that they anticipate a reduction in business with numbers down 10% to 15%, or about 10,000 to 15,000 fewer cattle. KSN-TV News 3 (Wichita, Kan.), Feb 9, 2023