Drought

Kempner is in Stage 2 drought because Stillhouse Lake was three feet lower than at this time in 2023. KXXV-TV ABC 25 Waco (Texas), March 20, 2024

The drought in Texas last summer prepared the way for this spring’s crop to be tremendous. The hot, dry summer caused some plant mortality, reducing competition on the landscape and making room for wildflowers to bloom in the following spring. Beaumont Enterprise (Texas), March 19, 2024

The monarch butterfly population in Texas was very low, due to drought in 2023 as the butterflies were flying south to Mexico for the winter. Monarch population numbers from early February 2024 indicated a 59% decrease in butterflies after returning from overwintering in Mexico. KXAS-TV NBC 5 Dallas - Fort Worth (Texas), March 20, 2024

The drought emergency declared for 12 watersheds in July 2023 remained in effect and was to expire June 30, 2024. October through December, the first quarter of the water year, was the sixth driest in Washington history, tied with 1933. December 2023 was the third warmest December on record for Washington state. Department of Ecology, State of Washington, Feb 1, 2024 A drought emergency was declared for parts of 12 Washington counties by the state Department of Ecology as dry weather persisted. In Whatcom County in the Nooksack River Basin, three water systems near Ferndale were dealing with dry or nearly dry wells, affecting about 350 water customers. Baker View Water System was hauling water via truck because wells had run dry. Aldergrove Water Association has to have its wells deepened as pumps were not drawing water or were barely able to draw water. Mountain View Water Association had to open an emergency intertie with Ferndale. The Bellingham Herald (Wash.), July 24, 2023

This crawfish season has so far been rather dismal after the heat and drought of the 2023 summer and the bitterly cold weather in January. Prices were higher for the crustaceans, where they were even available. “Many retail outlets in Texas cities outside of the Houston or Beaumont area are simply listing crawfish as ‘not available’ or ‘out for the season,’” according to an aquaculture specialist and director of the AgriLife Extension Aquatic Diagnostics Lab, Bryan-College Station. “This leaves many major metropolitan consumption areas such as Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio largely without a supply of crawfish.” The greater the distance from the crawfish farms, the more people will likely pay for crawfish. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 12, 2024

Drought has severely cut into the hay supply in the Vermilion Parish area. Land that previously produced six bales of hay per acre only yielded two bales amid the drought. The grass has grown more slowly and was too short to cut. KATC (Lafayette, La.), March 8, 2024

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