Drought

Area sale barns have been packed with cattle for sale for the past six months and seeing record numbers, due to drought and a lack of forage. Hay was expensive at present, so some were selling their calf crop early or getting rid of some cows. Since 2019, hay yields have fallen nearly one ton per acre, which has been a strain on the cattle inventory, prices and beef production. KMIZ (Moberly, Mo.), March 10, 2024

Burn bans were in effect for many counties in the ITC Midwest electric transmission service territory as much of the region was in drought. In response, ITC Midwest was reviewing additional safety precautions and reminding landowners to observe burn ban restrictions, and when permitted, use caution when burning to prevent damage to utility power lines and poles. North Tama Telegraph (Traer, Iowa), March 15, 2024

Tampa Bay area water users have adjusted to using less water and watering the lawn only once weekly. Hillsborough County water consumption fell by about 15%. The mandates are enforceable, and 624 citations and 11 fines were issued. WTSP 10 Tampa Bay (Fla.), March 14, 2024

The water in Shenandoah’s city wells was about four feet deep, although it’s preferable to see at least 10 to 12 feet of water when the pumps are operating. If the water level were to drop to just one foot, the wells would have to be shut down. Water conservation has been urged. Irrigation and vehicle washing were not allowed. KMTV 3 News Now (Omaha, Neb.), March 14, 2024

Winter did not bring heavy snowfall to Wisconsin or the temperatures to maintain the snow, allowing fires to begin early and in high numbers. So far this year, there have been 220 fires across 467 acres through Wednesday, March 13, compared to the 10-year average of 20 fires across 26.94 acres by that date. In just the past week, there were 50 fires. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wis.), March 13, 2024

Mathis draws its water from the same source as Corpus Christi, so the community has adopted the same restrictions and enforcements as Corpus Christi. Non-essential water use is also prohibited. Mathis and other neighboring cities were seeking different water sources to become more resilient and able to withstand drought. KIII-TV (Corpus Christi, Texas), March 13, 2024

The water level of Lake Corpus Christi has fallen below 86 feet, which has triggered a Stage 2-Moderate drought restriction for the City of Alice. The aim is to conserve 15% of total water use. Alice Echo News-Journal (Texas), March 11, 2024

A water shortage order that limits outdoor watering to one day a week in the Tampa Bay area will continue through July 1, according to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The district’s governing board approved the extension of the restrictions, which would have ended at the end of February. Tampa Bay Times (Fla.), Feb 27, 2024 The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted Tuesday, Nov. 14, to declare a Modified Phase I Water Shortage amid ongoing dry conditions. The area has a 9.2-inch rainfall deficit. Water levels were beginning to decline in area aquifers, rivers and lakes. Affected counties included all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Polk and Sarasota counties and parts of Highlands County. The restrictions will take effect on Nov. 21. WTSP 10 Tampa Bay (Tampa, Fla.), Nov 14, 2023

Mid-Missouri has seen an increasing number of fires as the region has been gripped by drought for the past two years. KMIZ (Moberly, Mo.), Feb 26, 2024

The Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee met March 7 to assess drought conditions as spring neared. Almost half of the state was in drought. February precipitation helped lessen drought conditions, but the state remained below average for snowpack. KTVH-TV (Helena, Mont.), March 8, 2024

Warmer temperatures and windy days in East Texas have dried out the soil. Rain was needed to replenish subsoil and topsoil moisture. Grasses began to emerge and grow. Gardens started to be planted. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with some supplementation taking place. The hay supply was short. Smith County reported producers were sending supplies to the Panhandle for wildfire relief. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 5, 2024

The city of Flowood shut down parts of its nature park as crews began to remove 65 trees damaged by the southern pine beetle. Many trees were dying at the Barnett Reservoir where at least 714 trees need to be removed at a cost of more than $300,000. Altogether nearly twice that many may need to be removed. WAPT Channel 16 (Jackson, Miss.), March 6, 2024

Missouri's Department of Conservation urged the public to be careful when burning materials outdoors. The state has already experienced nearly 500 wildfires this year, primarily in the south. FOX 2 Now (St. Louis, Mo.), March 8, 2024

A burn ban for Floyd County took effect on March 1 and remains in effect. KCHA 95.9 FM (Charles City, Iowa), March 8, 2024

Wisconsin’s dry winter has allowed fires to burn earlier than usual. Already, 75 fires have blackened nearly 200 acres since the start of the year. Agri-View (Madison, Wis.), March 8, 2024

The Boyer Chute north of Omaha was dry, but usually has at least a few inches of water. Drought and water management practices by the US Army Corps of Engineers was the reason for the absence of water. WOWT TV 6 (Omaha, Neb.), March 7, 2024

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly updated the state’s drought emergency map that was issued during the 2023 summer. Most counties were in a drought watch, while 16 counties were in a drought warning. The counties in the southwestern part of the state were in normal condition. KVOE (Emporia, Kan.), March 7, 2024

The Kennewick Irrigation District will ask its customers to follow a voluntary watering schedule this summer as it monitors how much water it will have to distribute. At present, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation projects about 72% of its water allotment being available from the Yakima River. Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.), March 7, 2024

Lafayette Utilities System was still trying to catch up with the backlog of broken water lines and other issues brought on by last summer’s drought and the winter freezes. As of the morning of March 1, LUS had a backlog of 1,265 work orders, including a few hundred water leaks, according to the LUS director. Water in the pipes freezes, expands and breaks the pipe. When the pipe thaws, it leaks. Drought causes the soil to shift as it dries, changing the support for the old pipes, some of which were 50 to 70 years old. The Acadiana Advocate (La.), March 7, 2024 More water leaks than normal have been occurring in Lafayette. "We have a number of leaks across the system," said the water system director. "The drought, the soil shrinking, we had pipes moving, breaking, joints coming loose. So we have a lot more leaks than usual." KATC (Lafayette, La.), Oct 3, 2023

The remaining eight Pennsylvania counties of Adams, Cameron, Clinton, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Westmoreland, and York have returned to normal status, thanks to precipitation in recent months. WHTM-TV ABC 27 (Harrisburg, Pa.), March 6, 2024 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection lifted the drought watch for eight counties. The counties that returned to normal status are Bucks, Dauphin, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, Northampton and Perry. Adams, Cameron, Cumberland, Fulton and Westmoreland Counties remain in drought watch. York County was in a drought warning, but has been improved to drought watch. Clinton and Franklin counties remained in a drought warning. Lebanon Daily News (Pa.), Jan 26, 2024 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced after a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force that a drought watch will continue for 13 counties and a drought warning will continue for Clinton and York Counties. Franklin County was elevated from a drought watch to drought warning. The 13 counties in the drought watch were Adams, Bucks, Cameron, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, and Westmoreland. FOX 43 (York, Pa.), Dec 22, 2023 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced that a drought watch continued for more than a dozen counties while York County remained in a drought warning. Clinton County was put in the drought warning category. The counties in a drought watch included Adams, Bucks, Cameron, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry and Westmoreland counties. WHTM-TV 27 (Harrisburg, Pa.), Dec 2, 2023 Drought watch status continued for 19 Pennsylvania counties, and York County was moved to drought warning status, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Those in a drought warning are asked to reduce their individual water use by 10 to 15%, or a reduction of six to nine gallons of water per day. FOX 43 (Harrisburg, Pa.), Sept 22, 2023 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced that the drought watch had been lifted for 47 counties, but remained in effect for 20 counties mainly in the southeast part of the state. Those in a drought watch are asked to curb their water use by 5% to 10%. KDKA Online (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Aug 24, 2023 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection maintained a statewide drought watch. Residents and non-farm businesses were urged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing nonessential water use. Groundwater levels remain low in parts of the state. Twenty-one public water suppliers requested or required water conservation in their communities. The Bradford Era (Pa.), July 28, 2023 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection declared a statewide drought watch after a winter of low snowfall and relatively dry spring. Stream flows and groundwater levels were low. Residents and businesses were urged to curb their nonessential water use by 5% to 10%. Eighteen public water suppliers were asking for voluntary water conservation. WGAL Online (Lancaster, Pa.), June 15, 2023