Drought

Kennewick Irrigation District implemented a mandatory watering schedule for its customers beginning July 7 as drought conditions intensify. This is the first mandatory restriction for residential irrigation since the drought of 2015, but unlike 2015, it ought to be in place for three to four weeks instead of most of the summer. Water restrictions were already in effect for KID agricultural water users. Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.), June 24, 2024 The Bureau of Reclamation’s June irrigation forecast for the Yakima Basin for the May 21-September 30 period estimated that junior water rights holders would receive 47% of the full entitlements, while senior water rights holders will receive 100%. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, June 6, 2024 Parts of the Northwest did not receive enough precipitation, and the low to mid-elevation snowpack was mostly nearly gone across much of Washington. Some irrigators relying on water from the Yakima River are junior water rights holders and will get just 54% of a full allotment of water this year. The water shortage means that some growers will have to ration all summer and may lose irrigation water in August or September instead of mid-October. A pinot noir wine grape grower pulled out his thirsty vines and planted baby concord juice grape vines that require about 10 to 12 inches of water annually, or half of the amount of water that the pinot noir vines needed. Northwest Public Broadcasting (Pullman, Wash.), May 6, 2024 The Washington Department of Ecology anticipates that the Yakima Basin will have about 72% of its normal water supply for the 2024 irrigation season and urged people to be mindful of their water use. A drought emergency was declared in the Yakima Basin in July 2023, and it remains in effect through June 30. The emergency could be extended. Ecology anticipates issuing curtailment notices to junior water right users in the Yakima Basin to prevent water levels from dropping further, according to a press release on 2024 water level predictions. KNDU-TV NBC 5 Kennewick (Wash.), March 20, 2024

Burn bans were implemented for Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties on June 20. Wicomico County will even fine violators $500. Delmarva Now (Delmar, Md.), June 22, 2024

The water supply for Horsham was struggling, due to drought, and mandatory water restrictions may be needed soon. Horsham relies on wells for most of its water, some of which were out of service due to PFAS contamination. The public was urged to conserve water. The North Wales Water Authority also issued a notice requesting that people conserve. PhillyBurbs.com (Philadelphia, Pa.), June 28, 2024

The City of Carlsbad enacted stage 1 water restrictions due to the intense heat and dearth of rain. The mandatory restrictions allow residents to water outdoors with sprinklers or hoses only at certain times. Carlsbad Current Argus (N.M.), June 28, 2024

Despite the monsoon rains, fire conditions in the White Mountain zone have been only slightly moderated amid prolonged drought. Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect throughout Northern Arizona. White Mountain Independent (Show Low, Ariz.), June 28, 2024

Dade County Water & Sewer Authority requested that all necessary watering be done only between 4p.m.-8a.m. because the high water demand was not allowing enough time for the water tanks to refill. WTVC-TV ABC 9 Chattanooga (Tenn.), June 26, 2024

Corn in Iredell County was about half of the eight to nine feet tall that it ought to be. WSOC-TV ABC 9 Charlotte (N.C.), June 27, 2024

The Blackfoot River was low enough that almost 90 irrigators were asked to forgo drawing water from the river. Anglers were asked to avoid fishing in the heat of the day and to use artificial lures and simple hooks that are less damaging to the fish. KPAX (Missoula, Mont.), June 27, 2024

The Village of Firefox posted a water restriction notice on its website on June 25. “The current dry weather conditions have placed a severe burden on the Foxfire Village Water System. All non-essential uses of drinking water are banned. All garden and landscape irrigation must be reduced to the minimum amount necessary for the survival of vegetation.” The Moore County water system was stressed by the high demand as people irrigate their lawns. The public works director for the Village of Pinehurst was keeping an eye on the water tanks. The public works director for Carthage was also closely monitoring water use to determine if and when water restrictions might be needed. The Southern Pines Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.), June 27, 2024

The North Carolina Forest Service urged the public to avoid outdoor burning due to the persistent dry weather. There is no state-issued burn ban in effect at present. “Outdoor burning and at-home fireworks are discouraged until your area receives substantial, soaking rain,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler. “Fire danger is high. Fuels can ignite quickly, and unattended fires are likely to escape and spread in a hurry. We understand fireworks are a major part of Independence Day celebrations and festivities, and that’s why we’re encouraging folks to attend professional fireworks displays rather than conducting their own.” Agriculture statewide was suffering from the lack of rain. Columbus County News (Whiteville, N.C.), June 27, 2024

Flash drought expanded in parts of northern Georgia, including Coweta County where Coweta County Water & Sewerage Authority asked customers to conserve as demand increased. WXIA TV 11 Online (Ga.), June 27, 2024

Crop growth and grazing across Virginia was affected by the dry conditions. A cattleman in Madison County was already feeding his cattle hay that was just harvested as his pastures were mostly grazed down. He was supplementing his hay supply with additional hay and their diet with expensive range cubes. Some Caroline County corn was tasseling and trying to silk too early. Farmers with irrigation capability were watering heavily. Soybeans were holding, but will need rain soon. Farmers were hoping for a tropical system even if that means a lot of wind. Gazette Leader (Fairfax, Va.), June 27, 2024

Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2GO issued a Stage 4 Water Shortage Alert, prohibiting all irrigation until further notice. All non-essential water use was forbidden, and non-compliance could result in civil penalties. Excessive lawn irrigation has kept the water system at capacity for the past several weeks, threatening the integrity of the community’s wells. WECT-TV Channel 6 (Wilmington, N.C.), June 19, 2024

Aqua NC has reminded customers to conserve water as the NC Drought Management Advisory Council upgraded drought conditions across the state. With New Hanover and Brunswick counties in abnormally dry conditions, customers are required to adhere to a mandatory odd-even spray irrigation schedule. WECT-TV Channel 6 (Wilmington, N.C.), June 27, 2024

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced a drought declaration for Jefferson County through Executive Order 24-08 and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region, granting a request that was originally denied by state officials. This is the sixth consecutive drought declaration for Jefferson County. Below-normal precipitation, streamflow and groundwater conditions continue to indicate persistent drought conditions in the basin. Precipitation has been below average in Jefferson County since 2018. KTVZ-TV NewsChannel 21 (Redmond, Ore.), June 27, 2024 Although the State of Oregon denied Jefferson County’s request for a drought declaration, due to the normal snowpack, increasing streamflows and rising water storage levels, farmers were still having to get by with about half of their normal water deliveries for the sixth consecutive year. Several farms will no longer be farmed. One livestock company has to get feed by rail from the Midwest, which increases expenses considerably. They have quite a bit of farmland, but about half of it was fallow. A purple coneflower grower used to be the largest producer in the U.S. While his production is usually in the range of 35,000 to 45,000 pounds, this year he has just 510 pounds. Irrigators in the North Unit Irrigation District will get a little more than half of the full water allocation for the sixth year of drastically reduced water deliveries. Some generational farmers were choosing to stop farming. Some local businesses have shifted operations or moved elsewhere. One business shut down its seed division; another shut down its fertilizer division; and a tractor sales and service company relocated to another town. Jefferson County officials saw the difficulties that the water shortage was causing farmers and businesses and requested the drought declaration in March. The Oregon Water Resources department will reevaluate Jefferson County’s drought declaration request each month. In the meantime, the state is willing to help Jefferson County farmers appeal directly to the federal government for assistance. Central Oregon Daily News (Bend, Ore.), May 22, 2024

Drought in Tazewell County was drying up water sources, turning pastures into barren fields and cutting into hay production. “The amount of hay that we’ve lost, the amount of grazing that’s being suppressed. Farmers are having to sell their cattle earlier than they would have because there’s not enough grass and forage for them to continue grazing,” according to the extension agent for the county. WVVA (Bluefield, W.V.), June 26, 2024

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions took effect on the Navajo Nation effective immediately in response to severe drought conditions and increasing fire hazards after Navajo Nation Buu Nygren signed an executive order. A number of wildfires were already burning in Arizona and New Mexico. The order also prohibits the sale, possession, or use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics on Navajo lands as well as open fires and the use of charcoal or coal outdoors. Hoodline Phoenix (Ariz.), June 26, 2024

Heat and the lack of rain has hurt dryland crops in Orangeburg County. The yield potential of the dryland corn has been severely affected, according to an Orangeburg County Clemson extension agent. He thought that some dryland fields would have a significantly reduced or even near zero yield. Irrigated corn looks about average or above average. Some of the corn was already dried up and will not benefit from forecast rain. Dryland crops such as cotton, peanuts, soybeans, sorghum, sesame and hay have not made good stands. The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, S.C.), June 25, 2024

A water drought emergency ordinance continued in Galena. The order came from the state through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and required the city to establish three stages of water conservation measures in case of an emergency. The city relies on wells and is striving to get another one up and running. Fourstates Homepage (Joplin, Mo.), June 25, 2024

The heat and lack of rain were killing crops in Harnett County. Corn stalks with wilted leaves stood on parched, dry soil. The corn ought to be taller than the six-foot six-inch farmer, but was shorter. The farmers market did not have the usual variety of produce for sale because the lack of rain and intense heat have hurt crops. Butter beans was one item not available. WNCN-TV NBC 17 (Raleigh, N.C.), June 25, 2024