Drought

A water emergency took effect in Norwalk on Oct. 7 as the city has had historically low rainfall in the last 43 years, affecting reservoir levels. The mayor issued mandatory water conservation measures to avoid a larger water crisis. Among the prohibited actions were lawn and landscape watering with some exceptions, vehicle washing, power washing of pavement and other activities. Scofflaws will be warned, but can be fined $90 daily if the violation persists. NBC New York, Oct 6, 2022

The hot, dry summer in Texas prevented crops from growing well this summer, leaving ranchers without much hay for the winter. Alabama cattle farmers with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association donated hay that they are sending to Texas to help some ranchers who have worked hard to care for their cattle to be able to keep them a little longer. WTOK-TV Channel 11 (Meridian, Miss.), Oct 5, 2022

The hot, dry summer in Texas prevented crops from growing well this summer, leaving ranchers without much hay for the winter. Alabama cattle farmers with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association donated hay that they are sending to Texas to help some ranchers who have worked hard to care for their cattle to be able to keep them a little longer. WTOK-TV Channel 11 (Meridian, Miss.), Oct 5, 2022

More than 1,200 wells have run dry in California this year, a nearly 50% increase over the same time frame last year, according to the California Department of Water Resources. In comparison, fewer than 100 dry wells were reported annually in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The groundwater crisis is worst in the San Joaquin Valley, California’s prime agricultural land. Farmers pump more groundwater because they were not getting water, or much of it, from state or federal projects. Water tables are falling with 64% of wells at below-normal water levels. About 430 wells have gone dry in Madera County so far this year. The Associated Press (New York), Oct 4, 2022

With the increase in groundings, the Coast Guard established a Marine Transportation System Recovery Unit, which has been set up to coordinate waterway recovery, track the status of the waterway, recommend courses of action to the captain-of-the-port and provide a forum for maritime stakeholders. The Maritime Executive (Plantation, Fla.), Oct 4, 2022

The low level of the Mississippi River increases the likelihood of running aground, which has occurred numerous times. Groundings happened near Stack Island, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in waterway closures around both sites. Eight groundings have occurred in the past week, due to shallow water. The Maritime Executive (Plantation, Fla.), Oct 4, 2022

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry, which transports vehicles across the Mississippi River between Missouri and Kentucky closed on Sept. 15, due to low water levels. When the river is low, it is harder for vehicles to load and off-load from the ferry at both landings, according to the Kentucky Transportation Department. The ferry will remain closed until water levels improve. The ferry connects Kentucky Route 1354 in Hickman with Missouri Route A and Route 77 near Dorena and is the only direct route between the two states. The Associated Press (New York), Sept. 16, 2022

Barge traffic is stopped near Lake Providence in northern Louisiana along a stretch that has been mostly closed since late last week. About 100 tow boats moving some 1,600 barges were lined up for miles waiting to get through. At least two other lengths of the lower Mississippi have also been closed at times, disrupting the flow of grain, fertilizer and other commodities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on dredging the river to deepen the shipping channel so traffic can resume, but navigation challenges will likely continue until the region receives more rain to boost river flow. Reuters (New York), Oct 4, 2022

The fall means harvest time with farm machinery in the fields, but dry conditions also increase the fire danger and the likelihood of field fires. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources warned operators of farm equipment and off-road vehicles to use special caution near dry vegetation. Keep equipment maintained and fire safe. Also keep trailer chains from dragging, which can generate sparks. KARE 11 (Minneapolis, Minn.), Sept 29, 2022

Bristol’s reservoirs have fallen below 70% of capacity, prompting the Bristol Water Department and Sewer Department and the mayor to request that residents voluntarily curb their water use. The Bristol Press (Ct.), Oct 4, 2022

Some Twin Cities homes have developed cracks in foundations and interior walls. The Mankato Free Press (Minn.), Oct 2, 2022

Corn was stunted in south central Minnesota. The Mankato Free Press (Minn.), Oct 2, 2022

Around Brainerd Lakes, stressed trees showed long-term damage from previous years of drought as pine trees had yellow-brown patches of needles and deciduous trees dropped their leaves early. The Mankato Free Press (Minn.), Oct 2, 2022

The Minnesota River at Sibley Park in Mankato was barely flowing, as was the Blue Earth River. Heat and dry conditions affected crop yields, which was apparent in the soybean harvest. Lawns and gardens were parched and turning brown. The Mankato Free Press (Minn.), Oct 2, 2022

California cities and farms were warned to expect little to no water from the state and federal water projects as the water storage in the coming year as water storage in the projects’ reservoirs was low. Water officials were preparing for the possibility of a fourth consecutive year of drought. San Francisco Chronicle (Calif.), Oct 3, 2022

Wine grape growers were harvesting grapes about two weeks early this fall as drought, early-season frost and late-season extreme heat caused the grapes to begin raisining. About three-fourths of the wine grapes in Sonoma County have been picked. Yields for pinot noir and zinfandel have so far been lighter than previously expected. North Bay Business Journal (Santa Rosa, Calif.), Sept 29, 2022

The fire danger was rising with the NWS recognizing all 75 Arkansas counties as being in high wildfire danger. About half of counties in Arkansas were under a burn ban. Talk Business and Politics (Lowell, Ark.), Oct 2, 2022

Ongoing drought has caused the Mississippi River at Memphis to drop to its lowest level in a decade and is the eighth lowest level ever recorded for the river, per the National Weather Service. At present, there was no rain in the forecast. Some areas were dangerously low and may hinder or even halt barge traffic. Soybean and corn harvests were just beginning with a significant portion of the grain typically moved to the Gulf via the river. Talk Business and Politics (Lowell, Ark.), Oct 2, 2022

High irrigation demand during the 2022 growing season amid extreme drought led to a well in Haskell County running dry. Well production has been limited for the past seven years, but it had slowed to 100 gallons per minute and was just pumping sand. Corn yield in the field was just 15 bushels per acre. A number of wells in the region went dry this summer as conditions this year have been exceedingly difficult, similar to the 2011-2012 drought years. The water table at an index well in Haskell County, Kansas, dropped to almost 400 feet below the surface in late August 2022. This would not be the first time a drop of 100 feet in the water table was observed during the irrigation season. KTIC AM 840 98.3 FM (West Point, Neb.), Oct 2, 2022

A wildfire in the Nebraska National Forest blazed through more than 15,000 acres in a few hours' time on Oct. 2 and destroyed the Nebraska State 4-H Camp. The nearby campgrounds and the village of Halsey were under evacuation orders. The region was in severe drought. Lincoln Journal Star Online (Neb.), Oct. 3, 2022