Drought

The drought emergency declaration for Strasburg has ended, as has the mandatory water restrictions enacted on Oct. 30. Strasburg, however, remained in a Drought Warning Condition, which is triggered when the seven-day average of the river is between 90 and 115 cubic feet per second. Water conservation measures that were previously mandatory were now voluntary and still recommended. The Northern Virginia Daily (Strasburg, Va.), Dec 10, 2023 The Town of Strasburg has declared a drought emergency for the second time in two and a half months. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River, Strasburg’s water source, was again below a seven-day average of 90 cubic feet per second, triggering the drought response plan. Most non-essential water uses were prohibited. The previous drought emergency was declared on Aug. 15. WHSV Online (Harrisonburg, Va.), Oct 31, 2023

Hyland Lake and Bush Lake were too low to be used to make snow for the Hyland Lake ski area, and the state Department of Natural Resources advised against taking water from the lakes as drought has dropped water levels too low. The department approved using the groundwater-based system that the Hyland Hills downhill ski area uses to make snow for cross-country courses also. Less water has been used in recent years to make snow, due to the drought, leaving trails smaller and with a thinner snowpack. Hyland Lake has not yet opened its cross-country ski trails. Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minn.), Dec 11, 2023

Seattle Public Utilities was no longer urging customers to conserve water as November rains refilled reservoirs. Seattle Times (Wash.), Dec 11, 2023 The need for water conservation continued in the Seattle area as water remained in short supply, despite recent rain. Water use was previously about 149 million gallons daily, but had dropped to 120 million gallons daily with the request for conservation. The aim is to get water use down to about 100 million gallons of water daily, which is typical water use during the cooler months of the year. The Seattle Times (Wash.), Oct 10, 2023 Seattle Public Utilities asked water customers to curb water use until fall rains arrive. Below normal precipitation, an early melt to the winter snowpack and low reservoir levels have diminished water supplies. The utility serves about 1.5 million people. The Seattle Times (Wash.), Sept 21, 2023

Stage 2 drought restrictions were enacted for Austin on Aug. 15 as the city endured triple-digit heat and reservoir levels at 46% of capacity and falling. The restrictions were to encourage water customers to decrease water use, permitting lawn watering once weekly, and conserve water in the Highland Lake reservoirs. But water use did not decrease. Complaints from the public about water use surged to about 450 the week after the drought restrictions were announced, a jump from less than 200 during the first week of August. Through early September, the number of weekly complaints remained above 300. KUT News (Austin, Texas), Dec 11, 2023 Austin began Stage 2 drought restrictions on Tuesday, Aug. 15 as the levels of Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan continued to fall. Combined water storage in the two lakes was expected to fall below 900,000 acre-feet within a few days. Water scofflaws could see fines of up to $1,000 per violation. KXAN Online (Austin, Texas), Aug 11, 2023

Stage 1 Drought Watch water-use restrictions continued in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls Times Record News (Texas), Dec. 11, 2023 The combined levels of Lake Arrowhead and Lake Kickapoo fell 0.5% to 53.8% this week, according to The City of Wichita Falls, leaving the city in a Stage 1 Drought Watch. KAUZ-TV CBS 6 Wichita Falls (Texas), Nov 27, 2023 The combined storage of Lake Kickapoo and Lake Arrowhead has fallen 1.2% to 63.3%. Wichita Falls remained in Stage 1 drought restrictions. KAUZ-TV CBS 6 Wichita Falls (Texas), July 24, 2023 Stage one drought restrictions took effect in Wichita Falls as rains failed to replenish water supplies. Texoma’s Homepage.com (Wichita Falls, Texas), July 11, 2023

A seasonal pond behind a home in Lutz was completely dry, although it would normally be 3 to 4 feet deep at this time of year. WTSP 10 Tampa Bay (Fla.), Dec 1, 2023

A Christmas tree farm near Webb City lost roughly 75% to 80% of its trees due to drought and pest damage. KOAM News Now (Joplin, Mo.), Dec 7, 2023

The outdoor burn ban was extended through Monday, Dec. 11, due to the weather forecast and the recommendation of the Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue. The outdoor burn ban was originally issued on Nov. 8, due to extremely dry conditions. WSET-TV ABC 13 (Lynchburg, Va.), Dec 7, 2023

Iowa officials were preparing for conditions to worsen by aiming to make portable water treatment plants available, streamlining permitting so towns can drill additional wells and deciding how best to get water tankers to dry cities and towns, should the measures be needed. The Iowa DNR, Homeland Security, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies were holding meetings on the state’s response to continued drought. Des Moines Register (Iowa), Nov 30, 2023

A hog farmer near Avoca lined up some tankers to be used to bring water to his hogs after hearing that Regional Water Rural Water Association was stressed. He looked into digging a new well, but there was a four month wait. Des Moines Register (Iowa), Nov 30, 2023

Falling leaves and drought have reduced the amount of dissolved oxygen in water in a tributary of the Reedy River in Falls Park in Greenville. The oxygen levels have never been this low in four years of monitoring and threaten the survival of little amphibians, tadpoles and minnows. The amount of dissolved oxygen needed is no less than four milligrams per liter of water, but in late November, it was about 1.2. The Post and Courier (Greenville, S.C.), Dec 7, 2023

Pheasant hunting season opens in 37 Texas counties on Dec. 2, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has forecasted a below-average season for hunters. TPWD biologists found fewer birds along survey routes in the Panhandle and South Plains as has been the case in the past five to six years due to dry conditions and limited cover. Texas Farm Bureau (Waco, Texas), Nov 29, 2023

Dry wells and dwindling streams for livestock were noteworthy in Cass and Pottawattamie counties in southwest Iowa. “I’ve lived here 23 years, and I’ve never seen the (Nishnabotna) River this low — ever,” said an Extension field agronomist. “And it’s been this low for five months.” Iowa Capital Dispatch (Des Moines), Nov 21, 2023

A hay grower in Jefferson County normally gets three cuttings of hay and rolls 1,300 to 1,500 bales, but this year was 20% to 25% below normal. Most hay growers were not getting much of a third cutting of hay because it was so dry that the grass didn’t grow back. Some farmers were already looking for hay to purchase. ABC 33/40 (Birmingham, Ala.), Oct 27, 2023

Alabama’s dry spell from August through October have diminished hay supplies, reducing hay availability through the winter. Given the drought and hard ground, it isn’t feasible to plant anything for winter grazing. WBRC-TV Fox 6 Birmingham (Ala.), Oct 27, 2023

The Gatlinburg fire department stopped issuing burn permits and will not resume issuing them until conditions are not so dry outside. Residents of Gatlinburg were also asked to be careful and not burn materials outdoors. WBIR (Knoxville, Tenn.), Oct 27, 2023

Pastures have gone dry in northwest Georgia, so farmers were feeding their cattle hay, although that is typically not needed until Christmas. Farmers were selling calves early, and calf prices have fallen 20 cents per pound. Cow prices were down by one-third. "The planting of wheat and rye are delayed. Farmers planted seeds, but without rain it can't germinate. They need those to get established before our first frost and freeze of the season occurs. We're running out of time for that, unfortunately," according to Dr. Pam Knox, Director of the UGA Weather Network and Agricultural Climatologist. WXIA TV 11 Online (Atlanta, Ga.), Oct 26, 2023

The August heat and about six weeks of drought in Alabama's Wiregrass region really hurt the peanut and cotton crops. Some farmers have said that this is the worst drought since 1980, with some even saying that it was worse than 1980. The average loss per farmer could amount to about 400 to 500 pounds of peanuts, or about 14% of the profit that they might have earned this year. In a typical year, the state averages about 3,600 pounds of peanuts per farmer. Cotton that was harvested early amounted to about 650 to 750 pounds on average, or a little more than one bale of cotton. Farmers need to make two bales to cover costs. Some farmers do not have enough hay this season. WDHN-TV ABC 18 Dothan (Ala.), Oct 26, 2023

The Vicksburg District’s dredge Jadwin has moved 6.2 million cubic yards and has worked 254 days this year, although the normal dredging season lasts 160 days. Seven ships have run aground in Vicksburg this year. The Vicksburg Post (Miss.), Oct 26, 2023

The dry conditions in South Carolina were leading to increased fire activity. Through Oct. 16, the S.C. Forestry Commission had already seen 70% of the number of wildfires that typically occur in October. Those planning any outdoor burning were urged to be responsible and take the necessary precautions. UpstateToday.com (Seneca, S.C.), Oct 25, 2023