Drought

Yakima Basin farmers were worried about not having enough water toward the end of the season. Some row crops may need to be neglected to provide enough water for permanent crops like fruit trees. To conserve water, some cherry tree growers stopped watering their trees after the harvest, although water is crucial for the trees to survive. KIMA-TV (Yakima, Wash.), Aug 10, 2023

Water users in Brainerd were urged to conserve water as severe to extreme drought conditions existed for Crow Wing County. Brainerd Daily Dispatch (Minn.), Aug 11, 2023

A bottled water advisory was issued for Kimballton because the municipal water contained too much manganese. KCCI TV 8 (Des Moines, Iowa), July 5, 2023

A water watch was declared for Kimballton through the end of September, due to drought and high temperatures. The community has been in a water bottle advisory since July because the water has too much manganese in it. KCCI TV 8 (Des Moines, Iowa), Aug 1, 2023

The City of Wichita warned residents to watch their water use after reports show a 6% uptick in water usage commercially and 12% increase residentially compared to June 2022. The city has also been in stage one water restrictions since January. KAKE (Wichita, Kan.), July 26, 2023

July 2023 runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 99% of average or 3.3 million acre-feet, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers. Runoff was near or above average in all areas, except Fort Peck in Montana, which was 68% of average. Precipitation was below normal over much of the upper Missouri River basin in July, apart from small areas in Wyoming and southern South Dakota. The lower basin had a mix of above- and below-normal rainfall. The six mainstem power plants generated 877 million kWh of electricity in July, down 79,000 kWh from the typical July energy generation of 956 million kWh. The power plants were expected to produce 7.8 billion kWh of electricity this year, compared to the long-term average of 9.4 billion kWh. DRGNews (Pierre, S.D.), Aug 10, 2023

The mandatory water conservation order for Round Hill ended on Feb. 7 after taking effect on Nov. 1 because drought limited water production from its 12 wells. On Feb. 7, the town received state approval to add a new well. Voluntary water conservation was again encouraged. Loudon Now (Leesburg, Va.), Feb 8, 2024 The Round Hill Town Council on Nov. 1, adopted mandatory water restrictions, which prohibit most outdoor water use. Round Hill officials initially urged water conservation in August as lower well yields and longer recharge times caused alarm. On Sept. 6, the council enacted a formal voluntary water conservation policy urging the public to avoid water waste. Despite the calls for conservation, water consumption has not fallen significantly. Loudoun Now (Leesburg, Va.), Nov 2, 2023

A crawfish business in Lewisville was struggling, given the scarcity of crawfish after heat and drought in 2023 wiped out the mudbugs. The owner said that he would have to pay nearly double the usual cost per pound, but he still cannot find as much as he would typically purchase. He has opted to close his business for the month, which includes Super Bowl Sunday and Fat Tuesday. WFAA (Dallas, Texas), Feb 7, 2024

More than 100 denizens of Bethany attended a public hearing as town leaders voted unanimously to create a public water district that will get its water from the town of Batavia. Wells in Bethany have been dry for months due to drought. Construction for the new water district is expected to be completed in May 2026. WHAM Online (Rochester, N.Y.), Feb 7, 2024

Hot, dry weather has increased the risk of hay fires on Midwest farms. There has been an increase in hay fires in barns and elsewhere when bales were tightly stacked. Brownfield Ag News (Jefferson City, Mo.), July 27, 2023

The Washington State Department of Ecology announced curtailment notices earlier this month to rights holders on 10 bodies of water in Washington: Asotin Creek, Cow Creek, Entiat River, Little Spokane River, Marshall Creek, Methow River, Okanogan-Similkameen River, Walla Walla River mainstem, Wenatchee River and Yakima River. Columbia Basin Herald (Moses Lake, Wash.), July 28, 2023

Three public water systems in Whatcom County have run dry, and three additional systems were not far from emergency situations. On July 25, Baker View and Aldergrove were completely out of water or nearly out, and Mountain View had opened an emergency intertie with the City of Ferndale, so the well system could connect to the city’s water supply. Another three wells were running very low, forcing residents to conserve. Cascadia Daily News (Bellingham, Wash.), July 26, 2023

Visitors to city parks in San Marcos were urged to bring their own water as drought leads to cracks in the soil and broken water pipes. The city has to shut off water to the parks until repairs can be made. FOX 7 Austin (Texas), July 28, 2023

Members of the Nebraska Corn Board have trimmed their budget and have requested an increase in the corn checkoff from one half-cent to one cent. Drought and inflation have cut into the amount collected, which is around $7 million. NTV (Axtell, Neb.), Feb 6, 2024

Topsoil and subsoil were reported as adequate to surplus for all counties across North Texas. Pasture and rangelands were good to fair for most counties, with a few reporting poor conditions. Temperatures were warmer for the week, and some areas had rainfall up to 2 inches. These conditions allowed winter grasses to revive from the impact of the freeze in January. Some corn fields remained too wet to work. Wheat and oat conditions were poor due to previous harsh weather. Livestock were in good condition as hay feeding continued. Hay shortages in some areas impacted cattle inventory. Armyworms and cutworms were reported in Grayson and Fannin counties, but no other pest or disease were reported. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 6, 2024

From 1-9 inches of rain fell across South Texas. Topsoil and subsoil conditions remained adequate. Warmer temperatures allowed rangelands and pastures to grow, but cool nights slowed the growth. Farmers halted fieldwork due to the heavy rains. Crop conditions remained good. Certain counties were watching for fire weather since winds were gusting 35-40 mph last week. Livestock and deer producers continued to provide hay and supplementation to maintain body conditions. Cattle prices remain strong in the weaned calf and stocker beef categories. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 6, 2024 South Texas experienced freezing temperatures and a slight drizzle last week. Turf producers were continuing harvest. Wheat and oat producers continued planting, and some crops have already emerged. Strawberry producers were monitoring the cold weather and loss of blooms and berries. Forage producers applied pest control around their crops and prepared fields for the spring growing season. The condition of beef cattle and wildlife decreased due to the lack of vegetation from the drought and freeze, leading producers to increase hay and supplemental feeding. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Jan 23, 2024

Tennessee farmers were feeding their livestock hay as drought began affecting the state in September, limiting pasture grazing. January precipitation amounted to about 5 inches of rain, but the moisture came down so quickly that it ran off rather than soaking into the soil. Farmers need better soil moisture before spring planting to get a decent crop. WKRN (Nashville, Tenn.), Feb 5, 2024

Drought affects some areas where geese typically overwinter, according to Ducks Unlimited. The spring migration of snow geese was starting early as ice thawed early in the Missouri River flyway. More than 400,000 migratory birds were seen over the past week at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Mo. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), Feb 6, 2024

Poor hydropower production and other factors led Seattle City Light to raise its rates by about 9.5% effective January 2024. The Seattle City Council approved a 4.5% rate increase in the autumn of 2023. A 4% rate increase was due to the year being poor for hydropower production. The utility spent millions of dollars from its emergency fund, or Rate Stabilization Account, as hydroelectric dams did not produce enough energy to meet demand and additional power was purchased. A 1% increase was from the Bonneville Power Administration. The 9.5% rate increase will mean paying another $9 or so for the average customer. KIRO-TV CBS 7 (Seattle, Wash.), Oct. 13, 2023

The Flathead River was flowing at a third of its normal average for this time of year. Flathead Lake was two feet lower than normal, causing many boat owners to take their boats out of the lake. Business owners that cater to the recreationists worry about lost revenue as boaters stay away. Full fishing closures began on Wednesday, July 26 and hoot-owl restrictions for numerous rivers and streams in western Montana as intense heat continued. Full fishing closures included the Madison River from the Warm Springs Day Use Area to the Madison Dam and portions of the Clark Fork River, specifically within 100 yards of where that river meets the St. Regis River, Cedar Creek or Fish Creek. Hoot-owl restrictions, which prohibit fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight, were announced for the Clark Fork River from the confluence with the Flathead River to the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek; sections of the Big Hole River; and the Gallatin River from the confluence with the Missouri River to Nixon Bridge near the confluence with the East Gallatin River. Stage I fire restrictions begin on Saturday, July 29 and prohibit campfires in most areas and smoking outside unless inside a vehicle or in an area cleared of flammable materials. The campfire ban includes Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders counties, the Flathead and Kootenai national forests, Glacier National Park, and land managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. A fire warden in Flathead County said that firefighters have dealt with two to three new wildfires every afternoon. Montana Free Press (Helena, Mont.), July 26, 2023