Drought

A flower, fruit and vegetable growing couple from Cherry Valley did not sell their produce at the North End Farmers Market because drought left them nothing to sell. Many vendors saw the quality and size of produce diminished by drought, while they also have to spend more to irrigate. The ground is so dry that the soil seems to soak up the water before the water gets to the plant. Evaporation also pulls the moisture away from the plants, leaving crops growing slower and staying smaller than usual. Growers noted that their water bills were through the roof as they strove to keep crops alive. One grower said that her onions were about half their normal size, despite the irrigation, and were growing slowly, putting her behind in planting fall crops. Rockford Register Star (Ill.), July 6, 2023

A corn grower in Fenimore in southwest Wisconsin reported that his corn and alfalfa took longer than usual to germinate. While corn usually takes five to six days to germinate, his took 35 days. Wisconsin Public Radio (Madison, Wis.), July 6, 2023

The South Metro Fire District has enacted a burn ban and suspended all burn permits due to drought and the forecast for little rain in the near future. The district serves Raymore, Lake Winnebago and portions of unincorporated Cass County. KSHB 41 (Kansas City, Mo.), July 6, 2023

Tier 2 water restrictions took effect in Geneseo on Monday, July 2, prohibiting the use of lawn irrigation and sprinklers at any time. The restrictions come as the city’s water utility has seen above average water use from outdoor watering. Water use in Geneseo typically ranges from 600,000 to 700,000 gallons daily, but has risen to 850,000 to 1 million gallons daily. Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa), July 2, 2023

Drought has left the Midwest bereft of green pastures, and hay supplies were quickly becoming depleted as farmers and ranchers fed their livestock hay. Cattle are being sent to market as farmers do not have enough feed and do not want to purchase costly hay. Hay prices varied, costing about $200 to $300 per ton in Nebraska. A large round bale of hay in Missouri might cost from $125 to $175. The first cutting of hay was short in northeast Iowa, where parts of the state were in moderate to severe drought. Pockets of Iowa had extreme drought. Nebraska Public Media (Lincoln, Neb.), July 6, 2023

Washington's Department of Ecology issued a drought advisory for the entire state due to continuing high temperatures and very dry conditions. Water conservation and wise water use is recommended. KUOW 94.9 FM (Seattle, Wash.), July 5, 2023

Aquarion Water Company requested that customers in Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and Greenwich conserve water as Aquarion was experiencing near-record water demands in its service area. Over the past two months, rainfall has been inadequate, prompting Aquarion to request a 10% reduction in non-essential water use. Stamford, CT Patch, July 5, 2023

Public pools in Bartlesville will remain closed this summer unless the city’s water supply improves. Per city staff, the water supply levels are at 56%. City pools would usually open around Memorial Day weekend, but drought and a diminished water supply since December 2022 has prompted the city to reevaluate the practicality of opening the pools. Drought and concern for the water supply has already led to the implementation of outdoor water use restrictions, the closing of city-owned splash pads and emergency water rates for its customers. The Bartlesville City Council also modified the city ordinance in April, requiring that city pools be closed if the water supply falls below 50%. Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise (Okla.), May 16, 2023

Bartlesville city leaders anticipated needing more stringent water restrictions and were also considering emergency water supply plans in the event that drought persists. Bartlesville was at stage 3 and may have to move to stage 4, which would prohibit all outdoor watering, in September. FOX 23 News (Tulsa, Okla.), July 6, 2023 Water storage in Bartlesville fell below 60%, which triggered stage 3 of the city’s drought contingency plan. Outdoor watering is allowed once weekly. The city utility is also lowering the water pressure slightly to help with water conservation. The carwash has been shut down, fire hydrant flushing is on hold, and the fire department trains without water to conserve. The water restrictions are being enforced strictly with penalties to accompany repeat violations of the restrictions. KTUL-TV ABC 8 (Tulsa, Okla.), April 26, 2023

The Edwards Aquifer Authority shifted from Stage 2 back to Stage 3 restrictions after the aquifer level fell again. The 10-day rolling average for the aquifer was 639.6 feet on Monday, June 26. Stage 3 drought restrictions were triggered when the level falls below 640 feet for 10 consecutive days. San Antonio Express-News (Texas), June 26, 2023

A Christmas tree grower in Cross Plains reported that 30% of the trees that were planted this spring had already died from lack of rain. Trees planted last year were not growing as much as they normally would. NBC15 (Madison, Wis.), June 26, 2023

Pasture grass was growing slowly in Bon Homme County, as were crops. The wheat was all baled for livestock feed. A number of counties in southeast South Dakota, Bon Homme County included, had burn bans. KELOLAND Media Group (Sioux Falls, S.D.), June 23, 2023

Corn in Des Moines County was 10 to 20 inches shorter than it ought to be. Fond du Lac Reporter (Wis.), June 26, 2023

The U.S. Coast Guard was issuing safety advisories for barge traffic as streamflows were below normal throughout the upper Mississippi River basin in comparison to this time last year. All-time lows have been recorded at St. Cloud, Minnesota on the Mississippi River and in Valley City, Illinois on the Illinois River. Low water has affected the size and capacity of barge loads and increased costs. Fond du Lac Reporter (Wis.), June 26, 2023

Drought has depleted groundwater for the city of Nixa. Water users were urged to curb their water use to avoid a Stage I Water Emergency through the end of July. If the city went into a water emergency, excess water would cost more, some water conservation measures would be mandatory, and some water use, such as lawn watering, would be prohibited. OzarksFirst (Springfield, Mo.), June 30, 2023

Iroquois County residents were asked to observe the burn ban and forego the fireworks to avoid sparking a fire. Iroquois County’s Times-Republic (Watseka, Ill.), June 29, 2023

Ozaukee County farmers who switched to no-till farming have found that their fields retained more subsoil moisture amid drought. WTMJ TV 4 (Milwaukee, Wis.), June 29, 2023

So many people in Bee Cave irrigated their lawns to keep them looking decent amid drought that water storage tanks fell low enough to allow water pressure to drop on the morning of June 29. The West Travis County Public Utility Agency was in stage 1 of drought restrictions. KXAN Online (Austin, Texas), June 29, 2023

Fire departments across the Midwest are encouraging firework safety and promoting public fireworks displays while discouraging individuals lighting their own fireworks as drought increases the fire danger. KHQA-TV ABC 7 (Quincy, ill.), June 28, 2023

Below normal rainfall in May and June slowed wheat growth and led the crop to senesce prematurely. The wheat near Ionia was shorter than normal. WOODTV (Grand Rapids, Mich.), June 29, 2023