Drought

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued an emergency change on Tuesday, May 27, to increase the daily fishing limit at Crouse Reservoir, effective immediately. Fishermen can keep up to eight trout of any species as the water level at the reservoir was low. Due to senior water rights in the Pot Creek drainage, additional water from the reservoir has to be released. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources News (Salt Lake City), May 28, 2025

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham urged counties statewide to ban fireworks and has ordered a task force to devise short-term emergency measures to address the ongoing drought and rising wildfire risk. The governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency on Thursday, May 22, which made available funds to help address the drought. It also directed the New Mexico Drought Task Force to meet, which occurred Wednesday, May 28, to coordinate response efforts across more than 10 state agencies. Source New Mexico (Santa Fe), May 28, 2025

The Avoca bakery owner has been alarmed at the lack of customers as the red-level advisory remained in effect, requiring water conservation in the five-county area supplied by the water provider. Water customers were also recommended to boil their tap water before use, with the boil order expected to last another week. The bakery owner stated that the bakery did not make enough money to cover payroll for the week, which never happens. KMTV 3 News Now (Omaha, Neb.), May 25, 2025

The drought emergency in Haverhill was lifted on May 14 after rain caused water levels to rise. The Haverhill Gazette (Mass.), May 29, 2025 Haverhill officials declared a drought emergency, March 19, after below normal rainfall. Water levels have fallen since last summer and have not recovered much during the winter. NBC Boston (Mass.), March 20, 2025

The Bureau of Land Management implemented fire restrictions on May 23 on public lands in the Albuquerque and Las Cruces districts due to the elevated fire risk. This included public lands in Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Sandoval, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance and Valencia counties. Building, maintaining, or using fires outside designated campsites or picnic areas was prohibited. Persistent drought and low snowpack have affected vegetation in the southwest and west central parts of the state. Fire danger will remain elevated in these areas until monsoon moisture arrives. Las Cruces Sun News (N.M.), May 23, 2025

Rapid City’s Water Division implemented its annual water restrictions early this year, something that hasn’t occurred in more than 15 years. Pactola Reservoir was at a critically low level as the area remained in drought. The Water Division has put the Pactola Reservoir under "concern status" due to low inflow rates and poor winter recovery. Water conservation measures started May 1 and were to be in effect through September 30, 2025. Conditions at the Pactola reservoir will be reassessed in late August to determine if restrictions would continue or be relaxed. KNBN- TV NewsCenter 1 (Rapid City, S.D.), May 22, 2025

Soil conditions in the South Plains declined rapidly due to high winds and hot temperatures, making corn and cotton planting challenging. Locations with adequate moisture at the beginning of the week were dry-planted by the end of the week; the need for rain was high. Cotton, corn and sorghum were being planted, and irrigation was being turned on. Early planted corn and sorghum looked good. Wheat for grain was either being harvested or sprayed for harvest in the next month. Wheat silage was being cut. Forage fields were being cut for hay. Weeds were coming on strong in many places. Producers were using pre-emergent spraying applications to combat weeds. Potatoes had emerged and were growing. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 20, 2025

The recent weather varied across Central Texas with intermittent rain followed by warmer temperatures and occasional severe storms, including hail. Soil moisture levels were generally good, though some areas reported drying conditions with above-normal temperatures setting daily records. Pastures and grasslands were growing well, keeping livestock in mostly good condition, though some producers continued supplemental feeding. Hay cutting began with promising results. Wheat and oat harvests got underway as fields dried, with good yields reported in some areas. Corn progressed nicely and began to tassel and benefit from the heat, while sorghum started heading. Cotton planting finished in some areas and was just beginning in others, with growth somewhat slower due to cooler temperatures and high thrips populations. Stock tanks were full in some counties but concerningly low in others. Producers were monitoring conditions closely as drought concerns persisted in certain areas. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 20, 2025

The Yampa River below Stagecoach Dam was closed to fishing indefinitely by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife as water and wildlife managers aimed to conserve water and prevent overfishing. The Yampa River was flowing at about one-third of normal after the snow melted early. The Colorado Sun (Denver), May 22, 2025

The Nemaha Natural Resources District asked that all water users in the district conserve as much as possible due to abnormally dry conditions in recent years. The lack of rain has diminished supplies for domestic and agricultural wells. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), May 21, 2025

Conditions were hot, dry and humid in South Texas, typical for this time of year. In some areas with lighter and rocky soils, the vegetation was already drying out and turning brown. A strong line of thunderstorms produced some much-needed rain — 2-5 inches – in some areas, but some hail and straight-line winds up to 115 mph accompanied the storm. Trees and structures were severely damaged by the wind. Approximately 2,500 acres of row crops were damaged by the wind and hail. The rainfall increased local stock tank levels. Hay harvest was underway. Strawberry production slowed, with some fruit still being harvested in low numbers. Row crops continued to progress well, benefiting from good soil moisture. Winter wheat and onions were being harvested. Cotton was in the full bloom stage. Cotton fleahoppers were above threshold levels, and farmers were advised to spray. There was high rice stink bug pressure in grain sorghum in the soft dough stage. Midge was present in flowering sorghum, and sugarcane aphids were building up. In sesame fields, there appeared to be beet armyworm pressure and some thrips. Approximately 80% of the corn was in the dent stage and is now past the critical stages for insects. Citrus orchards were being irrigated and treated for pests. Most pastures were still in fair condition but starting to stress due to the heat and high winds. Some pastures were in excellent condition; wildlife and cattle were thriving. Cattle prices remained high as supplies remained low. Livestock were in fair to good condition, but ranchers and deer breeders were still supplementing feed. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 20, 2025 Agricultural conditions were favorable across South Texas with mild temperatures and some spotty moisture. Topsoil and subsoil conditions continued to be very short to short. Winds were high, and daily temperatures reached the upper-90s. Some rain was in the forecast. Stock tank levels remained a concern for some producers. All row crops were planted and progressing well with adequate soil moisture. However, both row crops and forages needed additional rainfall. Cotton planting was wrapping up. Fieldwork for peanuts continued. Strawberry production continued to move along. Onion and cabbage harvests should be concluding soon. Citrus trees were doing well with juvenile fruit continuing the maturation process. Some late-planted crops failed and will most likely be replanted. Corn looked good but needed rain. Hay producers continued preparing for the next cutting. Planted sesame emerged and very few acres were left to plant. Beet armyworm pressure was reported on sesame. Grain sorghum fields looked clean, but a few fields had some sorghum aphids. Pastures that did not experience days of standing water due to last month’s flood were doing well. Rangeland conditions were improving. Rangeland and pasture conditions were fair to good in most areas and grazing availability was improving. Ranchers planned to do herbicide brush work. Livestock were in good condition, but supplemental feeding was necessary. Beef cattle prices remained very high. Feed prices were high. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 6, 2025

Extreme heat occurred in Far West Texas with daily temperatures soaring above 95 degrees and one day exceeding 100 degrees. Temperatures were significantly higher than the seasonal average of 86 degrees. With rainfall becoming increasingly critical, widespread soaking rain was needed to improve planting conditions and to support crops and grazing lands. Persistent high winds accelerated the soil moisture loss from previous rains. Winter wheat has largely been bailed for hay or plowed under. While a few growers began planting cotton on well-irrigated fields with sufficient moisture, many were waiting for rain or relying on irrigation to prepare their fields. Dryland planting remained unlikely without substantial rainfall, and sustaining crops through the summer would require multiple heavy rains. Corn and sorghum responded well to the heat, with no reported insect pressure. Melons were beginning to vine out, though bird activity caused some damage. Pasture and grazing and conditions continued to decline, and producers continued feeding livestock. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 20, 2025 Many intense storms brought sporadic rain, strong winds and hail to Far West Texas. Fortunately, no major damage was reported. Conditions were cooler with higher humidity. High winds dried out topsoil. Subsoil moisture levels remained alarmingly low, with little to be found 6-12 inches below the surface. Farmers continued planting hay grazer. Cotton planting was still on hold, but preparations continued as farmers anticipated starting within the next few weeks. Drip irrigation systems were turned on for upcoming cotton planting. Most corn had emerged, though some fields suffered hail damage, and growers were assessing whether the crop was salvageable. Sorghum emerged, but cooler temperatures hampered its progress. Watermelons were faring better but were progressing at a sluggish pace. Pastures, especially those left ungrazed for multiple years, began to green up. Livestock conditions remained fair overall, though the fluctuating weather added some challenges. Feeding efforts for livestock and wildlife continued amid the shifting conditions. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 6, 2025

Some areas received rain over the weekend, while most locations stayed dry. Hot and dry conditions persisted. Thunderstorms brought high winds with some hail, but the moisture helped pastures, cotton planting and grain sorghum. Warm-season forage growth slowed due to hot, dry days. Some fields were planted in sorghum and forage Sudan. Wheat harvest was expected to begin soon, although many wheat and oat fields were grazed out. Coastal Bermuda grass and hay grazer looked good, but more rain was needed as subsoil moisture levels remained low from extended drought. Weed control was ongoing. Range and pastures were in good condition where rain was received but dry in other parts. Livestock remained in good condition where the early May rains fell, and stock tanks and low spots in creeks were full. However, the rains were followed by 100-degree days and the soil moisture depleted fast. Drier pastures offered little grazing and livestock were being supplemented. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 20, 2025 Warm and dry conditions persisted in West Central Texas, but several counties reported 0.5-4.5 inches of rainfall. Severe storms led to tornadoes that damaged trees and outbuildings. More rainfall was in the forecast. Some counties reported up to 12 inches of rainfall for the month of April. Topsoil was drying down very quickly in some areas. The moisture helped improve forage and crop conditions. Haygrazer fields had emerged and were off to a good start, but more rain will be needed soon. Producers were planting spring forages and fertilizing Bermuda grass pastures. Pasture conditions were improving grazing availability for livestock. Cattle were being worked. The cattle market was active with high demand across all classes. Some wheat was beginning to change color. There was some freeze damage reported in wheat. Many wheat and oat fields were being grazed out or baled for hay. Grain sorghum emerged and needed rain. Cotton planting was expected to begin soon in irrigated fields and dryland fields needed more rain before planting. Recent rains improved conditions in some cotton fields prepared for planting. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 6, 2025

Topsoil dried out in Southwest Texas due to the high temperatures, though subsoil moisture remained adequate from recent rainfall. Hot and dry conditions continued. High temperatures reached over 100 degrees during the week, with no precipitation. Row crops looked good but needed another rain soon. Irrigated crops looked strong, and all cotton was planted. Vegetable gardens were doing well. Livestock performance was expected to dip due to reduced grazing and animals seeking shade. Livestock markets were high to steady. Some producers began cutting perennial grass patches. If conditions remain the same, hay grazer cutting was expected to begin soon. Some producers were trying to balance available grazing and stocking rates by selling calves slightly lighter than usual. Producers were still heavily supplementing feed for both livestock and wildlife. Overall, livestock body condition scores remained marginal. Whitetail deer were beginning to drop fawns. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 20, 2025 Moisture conditions continued to improve as most areas of Southwest Texas received some rainfall – trace amounts up to 3 inches. More rainfall was in the forecast. Rangeland and pasture conditions were greening up. Temperatures were cooler and winds picked up. Some pea-sized hail was reported in some areas. Some trees did not leaf out this spring, raising ongoing concerns about limited deeper soil moisture. Pecan producers were not seeing pecan nut casebearer moths yet. Row crops appeared to be progressing well. Recent rains provided a boost to corn and sorghum fields. Producers were applying herbicides and fertilizers, and pasture weed control and fertilization efforts were showing good results. Heavy supplemental feeding of livestock continued to be necessary in some areas. Livestock markets were steady to higher. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 6, 2025

The Roza Irrigation District stopped diverting water temporarily on Tuesday, May 20, for a drought-related shutdown. Roza was notified by the Bureau of Reclamation that water rationing would start on May 20 and continue for 7 to 13 days. Reclamation said this measure would free up roughly 7,000 to 13,000 acre feet to use during the coming irrigation season. Pacific Northwest Ag Network (Pasco, Wash.), May 21, 2025

Saltwater intrusion in the Delaware River was threatening water quality for the roughly 14.2 million people in the basin. During periods of low rainfall, seawater can push further up the river than usual and reach local water intakes. Reservoir storage was being used to compensate for the lack of fresh rainwater and keep saltwater from traveling too far upstream. BucksCo.Today (Doylestown, Pa.), May 21, 2025

Drought ended in western Massachusetts, but it still remained for the Islands and Southeast Regions, which continued to be at level 1, Mild Drought. WWLP-22 News (Springfield, Mass.), May 20, 2025 The Central Region has been downgraded from a Level 1-Mild Drought to Level 0-Normal Conditions. The Northeast and Islands Regions were also lowered to a Level 1 – Mild Drought, like the Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, and Western Regions. The Cape Cod Region remained at a Level 2 – Significant Drought. Water conservation was still encouraged. Worcester Telegram (Mass.), May 9, 2025

Six New Mexico counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation imposed new fire restrictions Monday, May 19, citing high wildfire risk in various parts of the state. Altogether, 23 towns, counties, tribal or other jurisdictions across the state have imposed some level of fire restriction due to high fire risk, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division. There were also fire restrictions on state forest lands in 18 counties, including Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Roosevelt, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance and Valencia. Since the start of the year, 377 wildfires have burned more than 33,500 acres. Tri-City Record (Farmington, N.M.), May 20, 2025

Due to the dry conditions, four Wyoming counties—Hot Springs, Crook, Niobrara and Platte—were under a Stage 1 fire ban, which prohibits fireworks and open fires. Campfires were only allowed at residences and established campsites with a fire ring. KWYY-FM (Casper, Wyo.), May 20, 2025

The levels of lakes Arrowhead and Kickapoo have risen above 90% of capacity with spring rainfall. The Wichita Falls City Council voted to lift Stage One Drought Watch water use restrictions. Wichita Falls Times Record News (Texas), May 20, 2025 Wichita Falls entered Stage 1 Drought Watch as the levels of Lake Kickapoo and Lake Arrowhead’s combined water storage dropped below 65%. KAUZ-TV CBS 6 Wichita Falls (Texas), Oct 21, 2024