Drought

Fishing was closed on the entire Big Hole and Jefferson Rivers due to low stream flows. The closure began at midnight on Aug. 23. The Jefferson River drought plan recommends a river-wide angling closure when stream flows fall below 280 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Twin Bridges. On the Big Hole, the drought plan triggers a river-wide angling closure when flows fall below certain thresholds. Streamflows fell below 100 cfs at Wise River and 150 cfs at Melrose, prompting the closure. Precipitation was not in the forecast. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Helena), Aug 22, 2025

Between the heat and lack of rain, Maine’s wild blueberries were not faring well. Heat dried up the blueberries in Roque Bluffs in Washington County where a grower expected to lose 30 of her 32 acres. Most wild blueberry growers do not have irrigation. During the state’s last significant drought in 2020, the blueberry harvest was down 45%. WMEB-TV Maine Public Radio & TV (Bangor, Maine), Aug 15, 2025

Arkansas pastures were turning brown, cattle were being fed hay, and dryland crops like soybeans and cotton looked stressed. Streams and ponds were low. KARK (Little Rock, Ark.),Aug 15, 2025

A countywide burn ban was in effect for Clark County as the Clark County Fire Department has responded to a few blazes. WDKY FOX56 TV (Lexington, Ky.), Aug 21, 2025

Wichita Park & Recreation has adopted creative ways to conserve water as Stage 2 drought restrictions remained in effect. The city’s Aquatics, Park Maintenance, and Golf divisions were working together to reuse water from Aley and McAfee Pools. Rather than simply draining the pool, the Park Maintenance team was pumping it out and transporting it to ponds at a golf course. KSN.com (Wichita, Kan.), Aug 20, 2025

A wildfire in the Everglades burned 42,000 acres through Aug. 21 and was 10% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service. Parts of Florida have had a drier than normal “wet season,” leaving some areas in drought. Lake Okeechobee News (Okeechobee, Fla.), Aug 20, 2025

Most New Hampshire fire departments were not issuing burn permits given the dryness and the high fire risk. The Boston Globe, Aug 21, 2025

The city of Rochester enacted a ban on campfires on Friday, August 15 due to drought. On Tuesday, August 19, the fire danger was downgraded from very high to high, so small contained campfires were allowed. The Rochester Voice (N.H.), Aug 20, 2025

Campfires and open flames were prohibited by some southern Maine fire departments, including Sebago. WGAN 560 AM (Portland, Maine), Aug 20, 2025

Stage 1 fire restrictions were in effect for Sublette County due to the high fire danger and persistent drought. The U.S. Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management High Desert District have also implemented similar restrictions for their areas. Pinedale Roundup (Wyo.), Aug 20, 2025

Level 2 water restrictions took effect in Exeter on August 18 as the water supply dwindled from the lack of rainfall. Under level 2 restrictions, outdoor watering was prohibited from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Seacoast Online (Portsmouth, N.H.), Aug 20, 2025

The Auburn Board of Public Works on Aug. 20 announced the end of the water emergency that had been in effect for about 11 months because wells were slow to recharge. Recent ample rainfall in July and August put groundwater levels back in the normal range. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), Aug 20, 2025 Improving conditions allowed the Auburn Board of Public Works to exit the stage 3 drought emergency contingency and move to stage 2 restrictions. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), Aug 1, 2025 Nonessential water use continued to be prohibited in Auburn and Peru since October 2024. The Level 3 Water Emergency does not allow water to be used for lawns or gardening. Auburn gets its water from 10 wells near the Little Nemaha River, which is running low. Peru gets its water from Auburn. KETV Newswatch 7 (Omaha, Neb.), May 7, 2025 Auburn’s water wells, two remaining five feet or below, were thought to be stable and should continue to rise with some spring rain. Many Signals Communications (Holton, Kan.), April 3, 2025 The Auburn Board of Public Works extended its water emergency for Auburn and Peru as well levels remained below normal. Water customers were to use water only for essential activities. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island), Dec 9, 2024 The Auburn Board of Public Works issued a water warning for Auburn and Peru customers as wells are below normal levels due to drought. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), Oct 7, 2024

Frisco officials implemented mandatory water use restrictions amid a strain on the area's water infrastructure due to low creek flows. The current restriction level is 'Phase 2,' which is considered to be a precautionary level of restrictions, not an emergency. In restaurants, customers must request water to reduce waste. The aim of these restrictions is to reduce strain on the town's water pumps during low creek flow, as well as to protect creek habitat. Drinking water supplies and water used for fire protection were not presently at risk. Out There Colorado (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Aug 19, 2025

Governor Tina Kotek made drought declarations for Coos and Wheeler counties on Tuesday, August 19 and directed state agencies to coordinate and expedite assistance for the counties. Including Coos and Wheeler counties, Gov. Kotek has declared a drought emergency in seven counties this year. KTVZ-TV NewsChannel 21 (Bend, Ore.), Aug 19, 2025

The hot dry conditions have led farmers to move hoses frequently in an effort to irrigate all of their crops. Another farmer had a well dug to provide water for his dairy cows, but the well produces just four gallons of water per day unfortunately. News Center Maine (Portland, Maine), Aug 19, 2025

A joint water ban has taken effect for Narragansett and South Kingstown as the southern half of the state was abnormally dry. WLNE-TV ABC 6 (Providence, R.I.), Aug 19, 2025

Water customers in Suffolk County were urged to use less water because storage tanks were falling to dangerously low levels at times. Peak demand has reached 520,000 gallons per minute multiple times during the summer, which is nearing the system’s limits, according to the Suffolk County Water Authority. SCWA customers were in a Stage 1 water alert that began on July 23. On August 12, SCWA urged its water customers to stop all lawn watering until further notice. Newsday (New York), Aug 12, 2025

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has officially ended the state’s drought watch, nearly 10 months after it was first declared in response to widespread dry conditions and below-average rainfall in 2024. Delaware Live (Dover, Del.), Aug 19, 2025 Delaware was in a drought watch after Gov. John Carney made the announcement on Oct. 25. Delawareans were urged to limit their outdoor water use as the state has not received significant rain in weeks. Residents and non-farm businesses were also asked to voluntarily curb non-essential water use. Fire danger remained a concern. WDEL-AM (Wilmington, Delaware), Oct 25, 2024

Feral horses near Bitter Springs were rounded up as they had insufficient water. Older residents were seen on August 9 digging trenches in Tanner Wash for the livestock after a nearby watering point went dry. Navajo Times (Navajo, Ariz.),Aug 15, 2025

Tree leaves in Colorado’s High Country and lower elevations were turning color weeks early due to drought when they would typically reach their zenith in mid to late September. 9News (Denver, Colo.), Aug 18, 2025