Drought

Drought this summer reduced seed and fruit production so birds will have to work harder to find food this winter. Results of the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14 at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Four Rivers Conservation Area south of Kansas City found a high number of species, but low bird numbers within the species counted. Drought affected the bird count, according to the organizer and ornithology collection manager at the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. Teams recorded 110 different species of birds. Some wetland pools that waterfowl and shorebirds depend on were dry, and all other pools were low. In the uplands, native plant foods that wild birds utilize are poor. Wild grape vines and poison ivy vines did not bear fruit. Coralberry, a late-winter food for birds, did not yield many berries. Forbs and grasses produced few seeds, to the detriment of various sparrow species that depend on them. Missouri Department of Conservation (Jefferson City), Dec 21, 2022

More than 70% of the cotton in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains failed in 2022 for one of the worst cotton production seasons since the 1950s, per the Plains Cotton Growers, a nonprofit organization of cotton producers from a 41-county region in the northernmost part of the state. The effect of the lower cotton production will be felt throughout the economy. The Texas Tribune (Austin), Dec 21, 2022 Planting season for cotton in West Texas ended just a short while ago, but it was already apparent that drought has taken a serious toll on the crop. The majority of the region's dryland cotton, and even some irrigated acres, have already failed this season, already bringing lower numbers to production, according to Plains Cotton Growers director of policy and analysis. While there were about 4.5 million acres in production last year, this year, he expected that the acreage would be half or less. With peak blooming season ahead, about 60% of the state’s remaining cotton acreage was in “fair” or better condition. Rainfall could improve crops still, but long-term forecasts do not indicate a high likelihood of rain in the Southern Plains. Abilene Reporter News (Texas), July 25, 2022

Almond growers in California struggled with drought, supply issues and inflation this year. The oversupply of almonds led some growers to reduce acreage by 25,000 acres the previous month, according to Land IQ. KERO-TV ABC 23 Bakersfield-Turn to 23 (Bakersfield, Calif.), Dec 19, 2022

A sunken ship has emerged from the water of Great Salt Lake in Utah as drought lowered the water level. The vessel was previously a part of the Southern Pacific Railroad fleet and was used to construct the Lucin Cutoff, a railroad trestle across the lake from Ogden to Lucin. The vessel carried men to and from the work site and also was used to move barges. ABC4 (Salt Lake City, Utah), Dec 20, 2022

As many as 90 water stations will be installed in the Mojave Desert, Chuckwalla Valley area and elsewhere to provide water for bighorn sheep as drought saps water supplies and hinders the growth of vegetation. Without enough water supplies throughout the area, herds’ movement may be limited, which could lead to inbreeding and other problems. The Associated Press (New York), Dec 14, 2022

Drought was milder in Minnesota this year, but the cattle sales continued. Brownfield Online (Jefferson City, Mo.), Dec 12, 2022

Despite the lack of moisture in the Missouri to activate herbicides, there was not too much extra week pressure. In drought areas, there were some weeds that were not well-controlled. Weed emergence is expected to be a challenge in the next growing season. AgUpdate (Tekamah, Neb.), Dec 17, 2022

This year has been Texas’ worst drought since 2011, and the extreme heat and extended drought will slash the state’s economy, per the Texas Comptroller’s office. Texas endured 40 days with 100-degree temperatures, which, combined with dry weather, did not help the cotton crop. The 2011 drought cost the Texas economy $7.62 billion in direct agricultural losses and almost $17 billion in total losses, per the Texas Water Development Board. The comptroller’s office thinks that the 2022 drought could have a similar impact. The 2022 drought ravaged Texas’ cotton crop. Cotton producers, concentrated in the Panhandle, were expected to lose about $2.1 billion in total economic activity, not including the losses covered by crop insurance, according to the comptroller. The abandonment rate hit a record 68% in Texas. This year’s cotton production was forecast to be only 3.25 million bales, or 53% below Texas’ previous five-year average. The Dallas Morning News (Texas), Dec 16, 2022 Drought wiped out dryland cotton in the vicinity of Lubbock, Texas. The abandonment rate was about 70% to 75% and means catastrophic losses for the region, which will hurt the regional economy, including cotton gins, farm supply stores, etc. The West Texas region produces from 4% to 6% of the global cotton crop, which could represent a 3% dip in total global production. If the regional production loss were about 65%, the region could have a $2.1 billion loss in total economic activity and more than 17,100 job cuts across the region. Even with crop insurance, that loss would only slightly decrease to $1.2 billion and about 9,200 job cuts. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Texas), Oct 2, 2022 Cotton abandonment in Texas reached a record 68% this year. Cotton production is forecast to be only 3.25 million bales, which is 53% below Texas’ previous five-year average. The High Plains’ $2.1 billion damage estimate includes the impacts of crop insurance and loss of about 20,000 jobs statewide. Texas Tech estimates that about half of Texas’ total crop will be lost. The Dallas Morning News (Texas), Sept 16, 2022

San Francisco water officials contacted 238 water customers about reports of water waste, notifying customers of violations of city restrictions. No fines were issued. San Francisco Chronicle (Calif.), Dec. 7, 2022

About 1,000 customers of the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Alameda and Contra Costa counties were fined for using too much water from the spring of 2022 through early December. San Francisco Chronicle (Calif.), Dec. 7, 2022

Santa Rosa has responded to 576 incidents of alleged water waste this year with either visits from "water waste patrols" or courtesy notes. The city shut off the water to five customers who ignored repeated warnings. San Francisco Chronicle (Calif.), Dec. 7, 2022

Drought affecting the Mississippi River caused distribution delays at the Jeffersonville port. Only one barge may travel at a time on the river rather than several, but delays and transit times were improving. The Ohio River port in Mount Vernon, Indiana was similarly affected. Stakeholders have been adversely affected as tow sizes were reduced and weight allowance, or draft, per barge were restricted. Indiana Cargo Crossroads, one of the terminal operators in Jeffersonville, observed a reduction of about 30% for inbound barge tonnage. This percentage compares periods of low-water levels in October and November compared to normal levels in September of this year. American Commercial Barge Line agreed that low river levels continued to have a negative effect on transport of materials as conditions cause a 15% to 25% reduction in tow sizes. Jeffersonville News and Tribune (Ind.), Dec 15, 2022

Water users in the Upper Colorado River states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico could participate in a conservation program that would pay water users to reduce the amount of water used from the river. The aim is to have the program operating in the 2023 summer. The Upper Colorado River Commission released its 5-Point Plan in July 2022, aiming to guard critical water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The first action in that plan was to resume the System Conservation Pilot Program, which was active from 2015 to 2018 and paid water users to use less. Farmers, ranchers, cities, tribes, irrigation districts or industrial users who can show that they have a project that can reduce their water use may be able to participate. Aspen Journalism (Colo.), Dec 10, 2022

Just one Christmas tree farm in Calaveras County was open for business this season, selling the big trees that the area is known for as warm temperatures, drought and wildfires took a toll on other area tree farms. Rain and snowfall used to provide all of the moisture that newly planted trees needed, but these days far fewer seedlings survive on precipitation alone. The dearth of rain has made it much harder for trees to grow, especially white fir and silvertip fir trees, which usually grow up to 1 foot per year but were now growing just 2 to 3 inches, according to a grower. He also noted that the dry trees cannot produce pitch, or sap that is used to repel pests. Calaveras Enterprise (Calif.) , Dec. 8, 2022

A rancher in Lyman, Neb., reported that his first cutting of hay was just 25% of normal, although he normally gets 2 ¼ to 2 ½ tons per acre from the hay pivot, but instead got about 1/3 of a ton per acre. He has about 450 acres of hay and about 380 acres of grass. With little rain since spring, many farmers and ranchers did not have much feed in pastures for cattle. The Scotts Bluff County rancher also noted that they only received about 85% of the usual amount of water in 2022. When the irrigation season was opened, there was not enough water to run the pivots as usual. Every third sprinkler had to be turned off in order to be able to run the pivots. The scarcity of hay has driven up prices to $220 or more per ton, when the hay sold for $150 one year ago or $90 three years ago. The high prices have forced many cattle and horse operations to sell a portion or all of the herd. Torrington Telegram (Wyo.), Dec. 14, 2022

The Flaming Gorge Reservoir may remain low for the near future, according to federal officials, leaving several boat ramps and docks out of the water and the shorelines exposed. An additional 500,000 acre-feet of water will be released from Flaming Gorge Reservoir through April to support hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam. In addition to Flaming Gorge, Blue Mesa in Colorado and Navajo in New Mexico are also backup sources and could be called upon to release water. Water levels at Flaming Gorge have been fairly regular for decades, but were at just 72% of capacity in November after an extra 125,000 acre-feet release in 2021 and the present “extra” release of 500,000 acre-feet from December 2022 through April 2023. In addition, runoff to refill Flaming Gorge has been lower than average at just 57% from April through July. The lower water level makes it more difficult for boat launching. The ramp at the Anvil boat launch area on the west side of the reservoir in Wyoming was closed not too long ago. Wyoming Business Report (Cheyenne, Wyo.), Dec 14, 2022

Officials with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California declared a regional drought emergency and urged all water agencies to immediately curb use of all imported water. Previously the MWD’s board announced a similar emergency for 7 million people who rely on the State Water Project which delivers water from Northern California. Now the drought emergency also includes customers whose water comes from the Colorado River. The call for conservation could become mandatory if drought continues. By April, the MWD will consider allocating water to all of its 26 member agencies, forcing them to either use less imported water or pay steep additional fees. Los Angeles Times (Calif.), Dec 14, 2022

Drought and the overpumping of wells have led to record numbers of domestic wells running dry in California. This year alone 1,391 wells were reported as going dry, almost a 40% increase over the same time last year, and the highest annual number reported since 2013, when the California Department of Water Resources. Since reporting is voluntary, the actual number of dry wells is likely higher than reported. The well failures were highest in Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Tehama counties. About 1,600 households were receiving water assistance and another couple hundred were relying on community water tanks. Some residents in the Central Valley have used water from temporary storage tanks for more than five years. About half of the 3,700 wells monitored by the state were either below normal, much below normal or at a record low. Los Angeles Times (Calif.), Dec 8, 2022

Residents of Bartlesville were asked to conserve water as drought has reduced the amount of water held in three lakes from which the city draws its water. Some people were frustrated at being asked to conserve. KRMG AM-740 & FM-102.3 (Tulsa, Okla.), Dec 8, 2022

The drought this summer in Connecticut was rough for Christmas tree farms. Some farms, particularly those in the eastern part of the state, lost over half of their seedlings. In the northwest, farms lost about 60% of their seedlings. Given the many seedlings lost this year to the dry conditions, growers were looking into irrigation, thinking that weather extremes may necessitate irrigation capability in the future. WTIC-TV FOX 61 Hartford (Ct.), Dec 7, 2022