Updated drought declarations for Kansas counties

2 months ago
Governor Laura Kelly issued a proclamation updating the drought declarations for Kansas. Three counties were in emergency status, 55 in warning status, and 47 in watch status. The three counties in emergency status were Harvey, Reno, and Sedgwick. WIBW-TV 13 (Topeka, Kan.), Oct 11, 2024

Live bomb testing suspended in Florida

2 months 1 week ago
The U.S. Navy recently paused live bomb testing due to severe drought conditions across the region but was resuming the testing. There have been several wildfires in the Ocala National Forest sparked by lightning strikes in recent weeks. Ocala News (Fla.), May 12, 2025

Stage 2 fire restrictions in southeast Arizona

2 months 1 week ago
Drought and an uptick in fire activity prompted fire agencies representing southern Arizona to enact stage 2 fire restrictions that began on Monday, May 12. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Bureau of Land Management Gila District, Coronado National Forest, Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Tumacácori National Historic Park, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge had campfire and smoking restrictions. A burn moratorium was also in effect on the Gila River Indian Community. The San Carlos Apache Tribe has been in Stage 2 restrictions since March. KOLD News 13 (Tucson, Ariz.), May 12, 2025

Stage 3 water restrictions in Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District in Texas

2 months 1 week ago
Buda, Kyle and other communities in the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District remained at stage 3 since October 2024. The level of the Lovelady Monitor Well in Austin was alarmingly close to Stage IV Exception Drought as the region has been in drought for 34 consecutive months for both the Edwards and Trinity aquifers, which were very low. Groundwater levels were decreasing and spring flows were limited at Barton Springs and elsewhere. KXAN (Austin, Texas), May 12, 2025 Buda entered Stage 3 water restrictions on Nov. 4 as several water supplies were stressed, warranting tighter water restrictions. Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer and Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority were both observing Stage 3 drought restrictions. MySA (San Antonio, Texas), Nov 4, 2024

Water conservation urged in some North Carolina counties

2 months 1 week ago
North Carolina residents in coastal counties that are in severe drought were urged by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council to limit nonessential water use. Counties experiencing severe drought included Beaufort, Craven, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Columbus, Martin and Washington. Coastal Review (Newport, N.C.), May 6, 2025

Fish kills, tourism businesses closed in South Florida

2 months 1 week ago
Intense drought in South Florida has parched parts of the Everglades, leaving muddy canals for wildlife, killing fish, and forcing local tourism businesses that rely on water to close. WFOR-TV CBS 4 Miami (Fla.), April 25, 2025

April runoff was 48% of normal in the Missouri River Basin

2 months 1 week ago
The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continued to be below average. April runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.4 million acre-feet, 48% of average. The 2025 calendar year runoff forecast above Sioux City is 20.0 MAF, 78% of average. The runoff forecast is based on current soil moisture conditions, mountain snowpack, and long-term precipitation and temperature outlooks. Gavins Point Dam releases will continue to provide navigation flow support at 4,000 cfs below full service for the first half of the navigation season through June 30. The six mainstem power plants generated 727 million kWh of electricity in April. Typical energy generation in April is 695 million kWh. Forecast generation for 2025 is 8.6 billion kWh compared to the long-term average of 9.4 billion kWh. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division, May 8, 2025

Wise water use recommended in Washington, D.C.

2 months 1 week ago
The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority asked residents to use water wisely and even conserve as the Potomac River Basin remained in drought for almost a year with the river nearing record lows. WJLA 24/7 News (Washington, D.C.), May 7, 2025

Short moisture in the Texas Panhandle

2 months 1 week ago
Most of the Panhandle counties received rainfall, from light showers to several inches and some hail. While the moisture was needed and should improve planting conditions, the hail had a negative impact on headed wheat. Growers continued to make progress planting corn. A few cotton fields were planted as soil temperatures continued to climb. Early harvest of wheat and triticale silage was underway. Rangelands and pastures continued to green up. The recent precipitation benefited topsoil moisture levels, but additional rainfall was needed to improve deeper soil profiles throughout the district. Overall soil moisture levels were short to adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Overall crop conditions were fair to good. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 6, 2025

Hay growth slowed by limited rainfall in Texas' Coastal Bend

2 months 1 week ago
Rain fell over most Coastal Bend counties, with reports ranging from trace amounts up to 3 inches. Drying conditions with warming temperatures and windy days continued to deplete topsoil moisture. Farmers with irrigation began irrigating corn last week. Corn was beginning to silk, and most fields looked good. Weeds became an issue with recent rains, and producers were working to get them under control. Pecan producers were scouting for pecan nut casebearer eggs, and some were applying insecticide accordingly. The first hay cutting was complete, but growth for the next cutting was slowed by limited rainfall. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to improve, with ample high-quality forage available on most operations, though areas that received little rain remained in poorer condition. Livestock were gaining body condition, and calves were gaining well. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 6, 2025

Water emergency for Auburn, Peru, Nebraska

2 months 1 week ago
Nonessential water use continued to be prohibited in Auburn and Peru since October 2024. The Level 3 Water Emergency does not allow water to be used for lawns or gardening. Auburn gets its water from 10 wells near the Little Nemaha River, which is running low. Peru gets its water from Auburn. KETV Newswatch 7 (Omaha, Neb.), May 7, 2025 Auburn’s water wells, two remaining five feet or below, were thought to be stable and should continue to rise with some spring rain. Many Signals Communications (Holton, Kan.), April 3, 2025 The Auburn Board of Public Works extended its water emergency for Auburn and Peru as well levels remained below normal. Water customers were to use water only for essential activities. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island), Dec 9, 2024 The Auburn Board of Public Works issued a water warning for Auburn and Peru customers as wells are below normal levels due to drought. News Channel Nebraska (Grand Island, Neb.), Oct 7, 2024

Water released from Cedar Bluffs Reservoir for Hays, Russell, Kansas

2 months 1 week ago
The communities of Hays and Russell made written requests on March 31 and April 2, respectively, to the Kansas Water Office for a water release from Cedar Bluffs Reservoir as water levels dropped in each towns’ wellfields along the Smoky Hill River. The gates at Cedar Bluffs Reservoir were opened by the Kansas Water Office to release water from May 5 through about May 11. The gates at the reservoir have not been opened since 2013. Hays gets about half of its water from wells along the Smoky River, while Russell has a mix of wells and surface water. KRSL (Russell, Kan.), April 29, 2025

Mandatory water restrictions in Westfield, Massachusetts

2 months 1 week ago
Mandatory water restrictions went into effect on May 5 in Westfield and prohibited non-essential outdoor water use. The restrictions, which were approved by the city’s Water Commission, were enacted because the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Connecticut River Valley region in a level 1 mild drought. MassLive (Springfield, Mass.), May 6, 2025

Northeast Nebraska farmer reluctantly beginning to irrigate crop to promote emergence

2 months 1 week ago
An Antelope County farmer started pivot irrigation to help the crop emerge because the topsoil was very dry. In April, the area received just 0.35 inches of rain. Because irrigation is so expensive, the farmer did not want to start the engines. The crop will be more costly to grow, not to mention labor intensive. Pastures have not yet turned green, making her worry that she may not have enough grass to feed the cattle that they bought. Brownfield Ag News (Jefferson City, Mo.), May 6, 2025

Wells going dry in Lehigh Acres, Florida

2 months 1 week ago
Some Lehigh Acres residents have been without water for weeks after their wells went dry. The Sandstone Aquifer has dropped to record lows in some areas. Outdoor watering was permitted once weekly in Lee County to protect the aquifer. WFTX-TV FOX 4 (Cape Coral, Fla.), May 5, 2025 Wells in Lehigh Acres were running dry as drought persisted in the region. Many homes do not have enough water to shower or prepare meals, and well and plumbing businesses were getting many calls for service. Gulf Coast News Now (Fla.), April 28, 2025

Less water released from Lake Okeechobee in South Florida

2 months 2 weeks ago
Lake Okeechobee releases were reduced on May 3 due to drought conditions. With less freshwater flowing down the Caloosahatchee River, the estuary was becoming saltier, and saltwater was moving upriver. The higher salinity can damage tape grass, disrupt fish nurseries, and hurt oysters during the spawning season. WFTX (Cape Coral, Fla.), May 2, 2025

Dry spring worsened drought across South Carolina

2 months 2 weeks ago
The South Carolina Drought Response Committee reevaluated drought conditions in the state and recognized five counties—Berkeley, Charleston, Georgetown, Horry and Marion—as being in moderate drought with 13 counties shifting from normal conditions to incipient drought. The 13 counties were Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Calhoun, Clarendon, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter. The remainder of the counties stayed in incipient drought. The Sumter Item (S.C.), May 4, 2025

Contractors in Wichita, Kansas may access treated groundwater for business use

2 months 2 weeks ago
Wichita established two purple fire hydrants at Herman Hill Park, where contractors can access free treated groundwater to help them meet water needs for their businesses while respecting water restrictions. Contractors have to apply to use water from the purple hydrants and follow required reporting procedures. KAKE (Wichita, Kan.), May 1, 2025
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