Drought

Bloomington water has a different taste and odor as the water department began using water from another lake. Drought was part of the reason for pulling water from another lake. Another reason is that Lake Evergreen was fairly full. WEEK (East Peoria, Ill.), Feb 6, 2025

New Jersey residents may have noticed a saltiness in their tap water due to the use of salt and brine on roads and the continuing drought. New Jersey American Water assures its customers that the water it provides meets primary drinking water standards. Red Bank Green (N.J.), Feb 14, 2025

This challenge this winter in Wisconsin was getting the snow to stick as warm temperatures melted it away. At the start of February, the state had a snow deficit of nearly 2 feet, and moderate drought covered parts of the Badger State. Snow has since accumulated, allowing the snowmobile trails to open. Civic Media (Madison, Wis.), Feb 12, 2025

The drought in South Texas led to lower pollen counts from Mountain Cedar trees, which release their pollen in late January to early February. KENS5 (San Antonio, Texas), Feb 12, 2025

January runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 0.7 million acre-feet, which is 92% of average. Runoff was near or below average for most of the Missouri River Basin as precipitation was below normal for most of the upper basin. “Runoff into the reservoir system was below average for the month of January and conditions across the basin remain dry,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “With the below-average plains and mountain snowpack we are forecasting a below-average runoff year for the basin.” Releases from Gavins Point Dam were 14,000 cubic feet per second and will remain low during February to continue to conserve water in the System, based on the guidance in the Missouri River Mainstem System Master Manual. US Army Corps of Engineers, Northwest Division, Feb 6, 2025

A burn ban took effect for Hendry County due to dry weather. Sarasota County officials also adopted a burn ban as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index met or exceeded 500. All outdoor burning was prohibited unless a permit was issued and was applicable for unincorporated parts of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota. WGCU 90.1 FM Fort Myers (Fla.), Feb 6, 2025

Some cattle in Belmont County have left their pastures in search of additional feed. The area remained in drought, so pond levels were lower than usual. Hay is expensive, so farmers were rationing it and feeding it in smaller quantities, spurring some cattle to wander hoping to find a better meal elsewhere. Cows have been seen roaming along Route 800 and Route 147 in New Athens. Drivers would be wise to be cautious of the bovines when driving. WTRF (Wheeling, W.V.), Feb 10, 2025

The drought status has intensified in parts of Massachusetts. On Friday, Feb. 7, central and northeastern Massachusetts were classified as being in a Level 3 critical drought, while southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands were categorized as being in a Level 2 significant drought. The Connecticut River Valley region remained in a significant drought, while the westernmost end of Western Massachusetts also continued to be in a Level 1 mild drought. MassLive (Boston, Mass.), Feb 7, 2025

A 90-day burn ban was reinstated by the Bexar County Commissioners Court as dry conditions persisted. The previous burn ban ended on January 27. KSAT 12 (San Antonio, Texas), Feb 4, 2025

The Monticello City Council discussed drought concerns and fire risks at their January 28 meeting. Members approved a letter to residents encouraging the reduction of fire hazards on personal property, given the increase in fire risk with the dry winter. The public was also urged to be mindful of their water use. San Juan Record (Monticello, Utah), Feb 4, 2025

Native oak trees in northern Illinois were declining due to dryness. CBS Chicago (Ill.), Feb 4, 2025

Punta Gorda was under an emergency ordinance due to ongoing drought and high demand on the city’s water system. Under the new ordinance, lawn watering is permitted once weekly. Gulf Coast News (Fort Myers, Fla.), Feb 5, 2025 The Punta Gorda City Council will vote on an emergency water conservation ordinance that would limit lawn watering to once per week. The ordinance states that the city’s “supply system is experiencing higher than normal potable water demand due in part to current drought and cold weather conditions.” FOX4Now (Cape Coral, Fla.), Feb 4, 2025

The number of wildfires and acres burned were higher than normal in December and January, according to the S.C. Forestry Commission. As of Jan. 30, the Forestry Commission had responded to 200 wildfires that burned more than 531 acres. The number of fires in January was twice the five-year average, and the number of acres burned was 41% above the five-year average. Wildfire activity in the state typically peaks from February through April, as vegetation from the previous growing season was dormant and cured. The Sumter Item (S.C.), Jan 31, 2025

The South Carolina Drought Response Committee met via conference call on Jan. 31 and decided to continue incipient drought for 32 counties that include the Upstate, Pee Dee and parts of the Lowcountry. Normal drought conditions were kept for 14 counties from the Midlands to the southeast corner of the state. The Drought Response Committee will meet again on Feb. 26. The Sumter Item (S.C.), Jan 31, 2025

The lack of snow in Cache Valley may mean that there will not be an adequate water supply in the spring and summer. Local dairy operators were worried about the lack of snow and their ability to grow hay for their livestock. FOX 13 (Salt Lake City, Utah), Jan 31, 2025

Cattle ranchers in the Arizona strip, the land in Arizona north of the Colorado River, do not have enough feed for their cattle due to the lack of rain. FOX 13 (Salt Lake City, Utah), Jan 31, 2025

A farmer and rancher near Hurricane has not yet planted his alfalfa, hay, wheat and oats because the ground was too dry. The crops are usually planted in January. No significant rain has fallen since spring 2024. FOX 13 (Salt Lake City, Utah), Jan 31, 2025

Southern Nevada has not received measurable rain in the past 200 days and missed the monsoonal rains in 2024. To provide water for wildlife, the Nevada Department of Wildlife and partners hauled 37,000 gallons of water to 10 existing guzzling stations in the mountains of Southern Nevada in late December. Resources have become scarce and were reaching emergency levels for wildlife. NDOW anticipated having to haul water to 20 herds in February, but the animals still do not have forage to eat. Hay cannot be brought in for the bighorn sheep because they cannot digest hay. Something must be done or hundreds of animals will die, according to an NDOW sheep biologist. Nevada Current (Carson City, Nev.), Jan 27, 2025

A fire in McDowell County blackened 250 acres and forced the evacuation of a community. WSOC-TV ABC 9 Charlotte (N.C.), Jan 30, 2025

The eastern flank of the Wade’s Gap wildfire was roughly 70% contained, while the western flank was fully contained. The blaze has burned from 550 to 600 acres. One home was destroyed by the fire. The mandatory evacuation order has been lifted. Franklin County was mostly abnormally dry with a strip of moderate drought in the southeastern corner of the county. WDBJ7 (Roanoke, Va.), Jan 30, 2025