Drought

Drought has limited the height of Illinois corn. Prior to rainfall on June 28 and 29, conditions this year since planting were drier than in 1988 or 2012. Kankakee Daily Journal (Ill.), July 12, 2023

In October 2022, a Viking ship left for a two-week cruise to St. Paul, Minnesota, but canceled the trip and docked at Greenville, Mississippi. Passengers were bussed to Memphis and were flown home. The cruise that would have been the return from St. Paul downriver was also canceled. Mississippi Today (Jackson), July 12, 2023

Musk and bull thistles have taken hold in many southwest Missouri pastures weakened by drought. Missouri law requires landowners to control all Canada, musk and Scotch thistles and prevent them from going to seed. Missouri Farmer Today (Hiawatha, Iowa), July 13, 2023

Low water levels and high water temperatures caused the deaths of nearly 21,000 shovelnose sturgeon along a 60-mile stretch of the Des Moines River in Iowa from Ottumwa to Farmington in the past week. To boost the water level, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began releasing more water upstream from Red Rock Lake and will continue to release extra water through the next several days. WGEM-TV Quincy (Ill.), July 14, 2023

The city of Hutto entered stage two of its water conservation plan as it was in moderate drought. KVUE News Online (Austin, Texas), July 13, 2023

Drought began earlier in the growing season than usual, threatening crops. Rainfall has been scarce since mid-May, and more rain is needed to produce decent corn. Litchfield Independent Review (Minn.), July 12, 2023

Wildlife in and around San Antonio is suffering and in need of food, water and respite from the heat. Vegetation was turning brown and drying up. Some people were putting water out for the animals as they roamed into residential areas. WOAI NBC 4 San Antonio (Texas), July 12, 2023

A farmer near Albert Lea reported that his onions were smaller than usual. Similarly, other produce was small, and he had a narrower variety of items to sell at the farmers market. KAAL-TV ABC 6 (Rochester, Minn.), July 12, 2023

The Scottsdale City Council unanimously agreed to ban natural grass in front of future single-family homes as the water shortage in the region made it essential to conserve water. The new ordinance takes effect for new houses constructed or permitted after August 15. In June, limits were placed on construction in the Phoenix area, due to groundwater depletion. CNN (Atlanta, Ga.), July 13, 2023

Campfires were not permitted in the Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, starting Monday, July 10, due to dry and hot conditions. Gorge News Center (Chenoweth, Ore.), July 6, 2023

Stage 2 drought restrictions began for Lakeway and West Austin on July 11 as lake water levels dropped to historic lows. Community Impact – Austin (Texas), July 11, 2023

Aqua Illinois customers in Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer and neighboring areas lost service July 3 due to a drought and a leak. The boil order ended July 9 after water quality tests determined that the water was safe. The lawn watering ban was expected to end July 11. WBBM-TV CBS 2 Chicago (Ill.), July 10, 2023

The Poweshiek Water Association issued an alert requesting that its customers, including those in Tama County, conserve water. A dry May with just over half of normal rainfall and heavy water use for agricultural purposes, plus heat and dryness, have greatly increased water demand, which is stressing the water system. Customers were asked to avoid lawn watering, pool filling and using water to wash pavement. PWA serves the cities of Dysart, Clutier, Chelsea, Elberon, and Vining, and the communities of Buckingham, Dinsdale, and Hickory Hollow. Times-Republican (Marshalltown, Iowa), July 10, 2023

Deschutes Basin irrigation districts were preparing to curtail water early this year, possibly in mid-July as the natural flow of the river slowed, despite the higher than normal snowpack. Irrigators should plan appropriately and begin conserving. Central Oregon Daily (Bend, Ore.), July 5, 2023

An adventure farm has their corn planted a week before Memorial Day so it could grow to at least five feet tall by the time the farm opened for the summer. Two to three weeks without rain left the corn growing slowly so that the corn was just one to two feet tall on opening day. The farm owner noted the corn was the shortest it had ever been in the past 28 years. More rain would help the maze grow taller like it ought to be. “It’s the challenge of the maze, not necessarily the height of the corn right now,” said the maze supervisor. WHP CBS 21 (Harrisburg, Pa.), July 2, 2023

Stage 3 drought restrictions began in San Marcos on July 2. Stage 3 is triggered when the 10-day average of the Edwards Aquifer Index well level falls below 640 feet above mean sea level. FOX 7 Austin (Texas), June 27, 2023

Heat and drought in Louisiana may limit crop yields on some of Louisiana’s most important crops. Late planted rice, for instance, may be affected. Soybeans, sugarcane, corn and rice are some of Louisiana’s main crops that may experience some yield loss, due to drought. Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (La.), July 3, 2023

Drought has lowered the level of Lake Travis, exposing items that were there before Mansfield Dam was constructed in 1941. Some of the hazards being exposed by the receding water include a concrete plant, houses, docks and a pecan grove with 100 feet tall trees. Full pool at the lake is 681 feet, but on July 5, the water level was at 637 feet. The Mansfield Dam park boat ramp was closed due to the low water level. Newsweek (New York), July 5, 2023

Polk County farmers were commenting on the dry conditions in their fields and were considering selling cattle. OzarksFirst (Springfield, Mo.), July 6, 2023

Missouri firefighters were on the go as drought increased the number of grass and other types of fires in the region. There were 32 fires in Polk County in June. OzarksFirst (Springfield, Mo.), July 6, 2023