Drought

Kingston declared a drought alert on July 14 as the Cooper Lake reservoir declined. Daily Freeman (Kingston, N.Y.), Aug 2, 2022

Cambridge residents were asked to help the city's trees by watering them amid the heat and drought as new and even older trees were "significantly stressed." Staff from Cambridge’s urban forestry department were using three water trucks to provide relief to street trees across the city throughout the day. The city’s water department and “water-by-bike” staff were also helping with tree watering. People were also asked to limit or stop all unneeded outdoor watering, excluding tree watering, and to conserve water. Boston.com (Mass.), Aug. 2, 2022

Residents of Gunter in North Texas were notified last Wednesday that they may run out of water. The next day. Heat and drought increased the water use in the town, and water tanks couldn't refill fast enough as two of three wells were down. The wells have failed, due to extreme heat, drought and high water demand, that keep the well motors running continuously, causing them to fail. Residents are asked to conserve as much as possible. Bottled water has been distributed to townspeople. In Sherman, beer brewers paused beer production to can water for their neighbors. Local Profile (Plano, Texas), Aug 1, 2022

Some dryland crops in south central Nebraska are likely lost and will not make grain, stated a farmer. With irrigated crops, the cost of irrigation increases the urgency of having a really good crop to offset irrigation costs. Brownfield Online (Jefferson City, Mo.), Aug 1, 2022

The corn and soybeans in Tippecanoe County were not in the best shape due to being planted late and the drought. The condition ratings as reported in the USDA crop report stated that 46% of the corn crop was good to excellent. Fortunately, rain fell toward the end of July at a critical time for corn when it pollinates. Dry July weather also slowed the development of tar spot, a disease that worsens with leaf wetness, and can lower corn yield. WLFI-TV Channel 18 (Lafayette, Ind.), Aug 1, 2022

Beef prices have hit historic highs in the last year, making beef pricier at the grocery store. Drought makes it harder and more costly to feed cattle, leading ranchers to sell cattle. With so many cattle being slaughtered, the cattle herd is getting smaller, which will contribute to keeping beef prices high in coming years. From March 2021 to March 2022, steak prices rose 16.7%, while prices for other beef rose 25.4%. Steak prices peaked at a record high of $10.23 per pound in November, and ground beef reached a high of $5.41 a pound in April. Business Insider (New York), Aug. 1, 2022

The USDA Forest Service and the Arkansas Forestry Division have been on high alert for wildfire outbreaks, due to heat and the lack of rain. Dozens of small blazes have been quickly extinguished in recent weeks. KUAF-FM 91.3 Public Radio (Fayetteville, Ark.), July 22, 2022

Heat and drought in Craighead County forced farmers to irrigate, driving up the cost of producing the crops. Irrigation cannot fully make up for the early start to the heat and the lack of rain. Some crops were smaller than they ought to be despite the irrigation. Jonesboro Sun (Ark.), July 27, 2022

Drought, low snowfall during the winter and the usual influx of summer visitors forced the town of Stonington to purchase 64,000 gallons of water to keep its wells full. Last year was the first time that the community needed to purchase additional water as its aquifer had provided enough water. In the offseason, the town’s wells usually produce about 20,000 gallons of water per day. But that has increased to about 55,000 gallons this summer, or about 16,000 more gallons a day than in July 2020. Water conservation is encouraged. Bangor Daily News (Maine), July 27, 2022

Hay, corn, oats and rye in Waldo County were stunted and dry as the area was in moderate drought. Because the area typically receives enough rain, farmers do not have ponds or equipment for irrigation when the weather turns dry. The dry conditions were stressing farmers, too, causing some to consider irrigation equipment. One farmer used a flatbed truck to haul water in 1,200 gallon tanks to irrigate. Lawns were brown and brittle, and gardens were dry for lack of rain. Bangor Daily News (Maine), July 28, 2022

Drought increased the number of water line breaks in Corpus Christi from an average of three per day under normal circumstances to about thirty daily, due to drought, which causes the soil to shift and contract. Supply chain issues were also making it harder to get the materials needed to fix the water lines, according to the city manager, who noted that larger cities, like Houston, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth, were also having the same problem. KRISTV NBC 6 Corpus Christi (Texas), July 26, 2022

Pastures in Coffee County have dried up, and the beef cattle have eaten them down, but the pastures have not regrown as they normally would. Marietta Daily Journal (Ga.), July 28, 2022

Aquarion Water Co., serving Hampton, North Hampton, Rye and 43 customers in Stratham, urged customers to water their lawns no more than two times per week. Foster’s Daily Democrat (N.H.), July 27, 2022

Aquarion Water Co., serving Hampton, North Hampton, Rye and 43 customers in Stratham, urged customers to water their lawns no more than two times per week. Foster’s Daily Democrat (N.H.), July 27, 2022

Exeter's Select Board voted to enact Level-2 outdoor water use restrictions, allowing landscape watering every other day. No other restrictions on outdoor water use were in effect. Foster’s Daily Democrat (N.H.), July 27, 2022

Exeter's Select Board voted to enact Level-2 outdoor water use restrictions, allowing landscape watering every other day. No other restrictions on outdoor water use were in effect. Foster’s Daily Democrat (N.H.), July 27, 2022

Residents of Dover were urged to conserve water as moderate drought and heat persisted and led to an increase in water use. Precipitation has not been sufficient to replenish underground reservoirs from which the city draws its municipal water. While aquifer levels were decreasing, the city has also opted to encourage conservation while the Pudding Hill aquifer, which is contaminated with PFAS, was not in use. A new treatment facility was under construction so the water can be used. Foster’s Daily Democrat (N.H.), July 27, 2022

Attleboro’s reservoir, the Hoppin Hill Reservoir, has gone completely dry. A watering ban will take effect next week and prohibits lawn and garden watering, as well as pool filling. Pembroke also has a similar emergency water ban. WBZ NewsRadio 1030 (Boston, Mass.), July 27, 2022

A Madison County farm grows and sells its own and other locally grown fruits and vegetables, but the heat and drought are slowing produce growth and narrowing selection. Green beans and corn were scarce, for example. In addition, the cost of seeds, fuel and fertilizer was higher this year. The farm was actively seeking more produce to sell to have a better selection for its customers. WBBJ-TV ABC 7 (Tenn.), July 22, 2022

Tonkawa in Kay County has not received measurable rain in nearly 60 days. The extreme heat was drying out the crops, and wheat, grass and alfalfa production was halved. Hay prices were double. More and more cattle were being sold to market. Alfalfa was short and was not growing. Farmers hoped others would join them in praying for rain. KOKH FOX 25 (Oklahoma City, Okla.), July 22, 2022