Drought

Drought conditions worsened in eastern Colorado counties in December and livestock producers continued to utilize winter grazing arrangements where available. Concerns remained for fall-seeded crops and pasture conditions due to severe lack of precipitation. Kiowa County Press (Eads, Colo.), Jan 8, 2022

The Pueblo West Metro District Board of Directors at a meeting on Jan. 24 voted to freeze applications for any new building or water tap permits until a meeting on March 14. The pause will allow the Water Team time to assess drought conditions and a potential new water source in Chaffee County. Some developers and builders say the delay of several weeks will cause major setbacks for them. KOAA News (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Jan 26, 2022

With runoff from snowmelt expected to be unusually low in New Mexico this year, the state needs to be able to adapt when supplies are short. Officials are seeking a $48 million appropriation to expand a fallowing program along the Rio Grande in which farmers would be paid to leave fields unplanted. New Mexico also owes water to Texas, which will cause shortages this summer for farmers and the Rio Grande River. Associated Press News (New York), Jan 25, 2022

Gangs of wild elk were feasting on farmers’ haystacks in Washington and Oregon as drought and epic amounts of snow forced the animals down to the lowlands. Electric fences can be constructed to better keep elk out, and automatic propane cannons can be set up to haze the elk with noise, but the creatures are smart and can be hard to outwit. Drought has driven up alfalfa and grass hay prices this year in the West. Northwest News Network (Portland, Ore.), Jan 27, 2022

Millions of beehives were on their way to California in time for pollination season when almond orchards bloom in February. Drought was one of several factors, including colony collapse disorder, climate change, habitat loss and stronger pesticides, that were costing beekeepers 40% of their hives. Drought in California forced a Stanislaus County beekeeper to move his bees to Washington State for much of the year as wildflowers and plants were dried up in California. Capital Public Radio (Sacramento, Calif.), Jan 26, 2022

The ski industry has invested millions of dollars in more efficient snowmaking systems, drawing water from nearby streams or reservoirs. Snowmaking in Colorado diverts about 1.5 billion gallons of water annually, and about 80% of that returns to the watershed as snowmelt in the spring. Resorts are also using more energy efficient snow guns. Associated Press News (New York), Jan 24, 2022

Lubbock County commissioners approved a 30-day burn ban for the southeast part of the county beginning Jan. 24. KCBD-TV NBC 11 Lubbock (Texas), Jan 24, 2022

Wheat producers in the Texas High Plains are facing intense drought and must decide if dryland wheat is worth bringing to harvest. Many later-planted fields across the region have not emerged, and dryland field trial wheat plots planted Nov. 5 have only produced about a 2% stand so far. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Jan 25, 2022

Small fires have occurred in Central Texas, and burn bans were in effect. Heavy frost damaged winter oats, winter wheat. The tops of the oats browned and there was no available soil moisture for recovery. Grazing quality and quantity was impacted and will be slower to recover. Stock tank levels were down significantly through the fall and winter. Supplemental feeding was necessary for all livestock. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Jan 25, 2022

The Dangling Rope Marina at Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will be closed for a year as low flows forced Bureau of Reclamation officials to adjust releases from Glen Canyon Dam. Marina components were being removed from the Dangling Rope location to ensure they do not become beached and inaccessible. November 2021 was extremely dry, resulting in a loss of 1.5 million acre-feet of inflow for Lake Powell compared to the previous month’s projections. To keep the hydroelectric generating plant in the dam operating, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation adjusted monthly releases from Lake Powell to keep back 350,000 acre-feet of water each month from January to April when inflows to the reservoir are low. The water held back during the first four months of the year will be sent to Lake Mead from June through September. National Parks Traveler (Park City, Utah), Jan 24, 2022

With moderate to severe drought conditions in Creek County, county commissioners approved a 2-week burn ban as there was little rain in the forecast. Firefighters responded to at least four fires over the weekend. Sapulpa Times (Okla.), Jan 25, 2022

Winter wheat in the Waco area was suffering from dry weather and cold, but there is still hope if rain were to fall. Rain is also needed for the corn which will be planted in 45 days. KWTX-TV 10 New Waco (Texas), Jan 22, 2022

Drought is killing some of the winter wheat in Wichita County in northern Texas. With the wheat not growing, some livestock producers were feeding hay. The subsoil moisture is low, so more than a couple of inches of rain is needed. Drought was also starting to affect area reservoirs. Wichita Falls Times Record News (Texas), Jan 24, 2022

The Barton County Commission issued a county-wide ban on outdoor burning on Dec. 15, and it remained in effect as there has not been enough moisture to lift the ban. Fires have occurred despite snow on the ground. Great Bend Post (Kan.), Jan 25, 2022

The warm, dry weather in Oklahoma prevented the growth of fall and winter wheat, reducing income potential on dual-purpose wheat, according to Oklahoma Mesonet’s agricultural coordinator. The weight gain for cattle has been really light, limiting the profit from cattle being on wheat. Some producers even sold cattle because they were waiting for rain before letting cattle graze the crop. Rainfall could still salvage the wheat crop. KOSU-FM Oklahoma Public Radio (Stillwater, Okla.), Jan 20, 2022

Conchas Lake did not rise in December 2021, offering little hope that the Arch Hurley Conservancy District board of directors would allocate water to farmers come spring just like 2021 when the district decided not to allocate water during growing season due to persistent drought. Quay County Sun (Tucumcari, N.M.), Jan 19, 2022 The Arch Hurley Conservancy District will not be allocating any irrigation water to area farmers for the first time since 2017 as the board of directors voted against an allocation. Conchas Lake was at 4,159 feet, but cannot discharge water by gravity when the lake is below 4,162 feet, although water can be pumped from the lake to the 4,155 feet level. The board will reassess the possibility of water discharges monthly or could schedule a special meeting to allocate water if a significant rain event were to occur. Quay County Sun (Tucumcari, N.M.), April 21, 2021

Drought in 2021 reduced the size of avocadoes and decimated Q4 sales from about 487,000 pounds in Q4 2020 to just 3,000 pounds in Q4 2021. Supply Chain Dive (Washington, D.C.), Jan 20, 2022

The two ski resorts in South Dakota opened on a limited basis and needed more snow. Terry Peak Ski Area in Lead and Great Bear Ski Valley in Sioux Falls were opening later than usual and with fewer runs as December temperatures were very warm and snow was scarce. Terry Peak opened Dec. 15 and intended to open more of its 29 runs and five lifts by Dec. 29. Great Bear planned to have 40% of its runs ready when it opens on Dec. 30. Its tubing area did not yet have an opening date. South Dakota Public Broadcasting (Vermillion, S.D.), Dec 28, 2021

Carter County Commissioners implemented a burn ban on Dec. 20 and extended it through Jan. 17. The ban made it unlawful for a person "to set fire to any forest, grass, range crop or other wild lands or to build a campfire, bonfire, burn or ignite fireworks, or to burn trash or other materials that may cause a forest, grass, range crop or other wild lands fire." Ardmoreite.com (Okla.), Jan 7, 2022

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration due to exceptional drought posing a threat of imminent disaster in Andrews, Baylor, Borden, Brewster, Cameron, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Culberson, Dallam, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dimmit, Fisher, Foard, Gray, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hidalgo, Howard, Hutchinson, Jones, Knox, Lamar, Martin, Maverick, Midland, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Pecos, Potter, Presidio, Randall, Roberts, Scurry, Sherman, Stonewall, Terrell, Throckmorton, Upton, Ward, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, and Winkler counties. Office of the Governor - Greg Abbott (Texas), Jan 6, 2022