Drought

The Franklin County borough of Chambersburg adopted a burn ban on June 26 that will remain in effect until July 22. The burn ban was needed due to heat and lack of rain in the forecast. FOX43 (Harrisburg, Pa.), July 1, 2024

The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a burn ban at a meeting on June 25. CBS 19 News (Charlottesville, Va.), June 26, 2024

Despite the dry weather and low flows on the Rivanna River, an outfitting business on the river was doing its best to stay open and was still offering some trips down the river. WVIR-TV NBC29 (Charlottesville, Va.), June 28, 2024

The North Carolina Forest Service discouraged outdoor burning and the lighting of personal fireworks. Instead, they recommended that people enjoy professional fireworks displays. WITN-TV NBC 7 Greenville (N.C.), June 28, 2024

Fayette County Water System sought and received a Level 1 Drought variance from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division due to high water demand for irrigation which has led to low water pressure in parts of the service area. Under a Level 1 Drought response, the county water system can initiate a public information campaign to help the public better understand drought, its impact on water supplies, and the importance of water conservation. Fayette County News (Fayetteville, Ga.), July 1, 2024

Starr County officials adopted a burn ban as the Fourth of July neared. The ban covered open burning as well as the sale and use of fireworks. KFXV FOX Rio Grande Valley (McAllen, Texas), July 1, 2024

Crops in the Virginia Beach area were affected by heat and drought. The corn was just four to five feet tall and tasseled. WAVY-TV NBC 10 Portsmouth (Hampton Roads, Va.), June 25, 2024

Flash drought was affecting crops in the Appomattox area. In addition, the ground was so hard that a farmer could not plant his field. WSET-TV ABC 13 (Lynchburg, Va.), June 24, 2024

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