Drought

California's State Water Resources Control Board voted to enact a statewide ban on watering decorative turf at commercial, industrial and institutional properties. The board also voted to require local water agencies to activate Level 2 of their local contingency plans to in preparation for a shortage of up to 20%. Los Angeles Times, May 24, 2022

Jackson Lake Dam in northwest Wyoming and Palisades Reservoir in eastern Idaho are expected to be nearly empty by the end of summer 2022 at 2% to 10% of capacity as the water is sent down the Snake River for irrigation. Heat and drought in 2021 drained water stores, and low snowpack during the 2021-22 winter did not improve conditions much. The Colter Bay Marina boat ramp at Jackson Lake is out of the water and will remain so all summer, while the Signal Mountain Lodge’s boat ramp and Leeks Marina should remain useable until late August or early September, when water levels drop lower, and they become unusable. At Palisades Reservoir, the Blowout ramp may be out of the water in mid-July, while the Calamity ramp may be useable until early September. Jackson Hole News & Guide (Wyo.), May 21, 2022

Jackson Lake Dam in northwest Wyoming and Palisades Reservoir in eastern Idaho are expected to be nearly empty by the end of summer 2022 at 2% to 10% of capacity as the water is sent down the Snake River for irrigation. Heat and drought in 2021 drained water stores, and low snowpack during the 2021-22 winter did not improve conditions much. The Colter Bay Marina boat ramp at Jackson Lake is out of the water and will remain so all summer, while the Signal Mountain Lodge’s boat ramp and Leeks Marina should remain useable until late August or early September, when water levels drop lower, and they become unusable. At Palisades Reservoir, the Blowout ramp may be out of the water in mid-July, while the Calamity ramp may be useable until early September. Jackson Hole News & Guide (Wyo.), May 21, 2022

Water restrictions began in Danvers on May 1 and were increased to Level 3 three weeks later as drought concerns rose. Residents may only use sprinklers and irrigation systems on certain days between 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following day. Danvers, MA Patch, May 23, 2022

Water restrictions began in Danvers on May 1 and were increased to Level 3 three weeks later as drought concerns rose. Residents may only use sprinklers and irrigation systems on certain days between 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following day. Danvers, MA Patch, May 23, 2022

Windy, dry conditions in Texas continue to push wildfires and burn tens of thousands of acres. Many sizeable blazes continued to burn in Texas including the Coconut fire in Wilbarger County, which had charred more than 28,000 acres and was 75% contained, according to the Texas Wildfire Incident Response system at Texas A&M University. The Mesquite Heat fire in Taylor County near Abilene has exhibited extreme fire behavior, blackened more than 9,600 acres and was about 25% contained on May 21. Some other fires: The Pope 2 fire in Schleicher County, covered more than 2,500 acres and was 90% contained. The Mayfield fire in San Saba County, which spanned almost 1,300 acres and was 95% contained. The Twin Starts fire in Llano County, which burned about 450 acres and was 90% contained. The Ghost fire in Dickens County, which charred 150 acres and was not contained. The Coppic fire in Brown County, which scorched 90 acres and was 90% contained. More than 130 Texas counties had burn bans, per the Forest Service. Texas Public Radio (San Antonio, Texas), May 21, 2022

Riverside County fire authorities have suspended all outdoor burn permits effective May 23 amid concerns that the 2022 wildfire season could be even more destructive than past years, due to the persistent megadrought. Under the ban, residents cannot get a permit to burn landscape debris on their property. The ability to have campfires is not affected by the ban on outdoor burn permits, as residents can still get a campfire permit. Warmer temperatures and parched vegetation are fueling critical fire behavior. San Bernardino County Sun (Calif.), May 22, 2022

The Spokane City Council voted in favor of a water conservation and drought ordinance limiting lawns watering to no more than four days per week. From June 1 through Oct. 1, it is prohibited to water outdoor vegetation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. KXLY-TV ABC 4 (Spokane, Wash.), May 23, 2022

Sacramento Valley’s water supply has been certain even during deep droughts in the past, but this year, for the first time ever, no water is flowing to land in the Western Sacramento Valley. Farmers and ranchers are trying to sustain their cattle and crops, refuges will get less water threatening migratory birds, and millions of salmon eggs are expected to die for lack of cold water from Shasta Dam. Even Sacramento River Settlement Contractors will receive just 18% in an effort to leave more water in Lake Shasta to keep enough cold water to stave off salmon egg deaths, but still more than half of the endangered winter-run Chinook salmon eggs are expected to die, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. CalMatters (Sacramento, Calif.), May 23, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom met with officials from the biggest urban water suppliers in the state and pushed them to increase water conservation efforts, warning that mandatory water restrictions may be implemented without more water savings this summer. Newsom will meet again with water officials in two months for an update on progress. Some of the officials who attended the meeting were from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, East Bay Municipal Utility District and other large water suppliers. On May 24, at the Governor’s urging, the State Water Resources Control Board will vote on a statewide ban on watering of “non-functional” turf on commercial, industrial and institutional properties, as well as regulations requiring local agencies to implement water use restrictions. Los Angeles Times (Calif.), May 23, 2022

Boaters and swimmers at Lake Waco are warned to be on the lookout for stumps and other objects in the water as the lake level has fallen about 6 feet. Boat ramps are still open, but Airport Beach is closed, due to safety concerns about the water level. The beach at Twin Bridges Park is open, but there is no water next to it. Stage 1 of Waco’s drought contingency plan occurs when the lake drops to 455 feet above sea level, or 7 feet below normal. Waco Tribune-Herald (Texas), May 22, 2022

Although Gov. Newsom asked Californians to curb their water use by 15% compared with 2020, statewide cumulative water savings since July was just 3.7%. Urban water use increased 18.9% in March. Los Angeles Times (Calif.), May 23, 2022 Despite the record dry January and February, Californians are falling short on voluntary water conservation. Gov. Gavin Newsom asked that people conserve 15% compared to 2020 levels, but in January water use increased 2.6% compared to January 2020. Between July and January, statewide water use was down 6.4%. The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.), March 15, 2022 With the start of 2022 being the driest in California’s history as the state enters its third year of drought, all Californians are asked to increase their water conservation efforts. Los Angeles Times (Calif.), March 11, 2022 California Gov. Gavin Newsom requested that people and businesses curb their water use by 15% as intense drought persisted. “Given how low the reservoirs are going to be at the start of next year, the governor wanted to issue the voluntary call in the event that next year is also dry,” stated the director of the California Department of Water Resources. The governor also included another nine counties in the emergency drought proclamation that encompasses 50 of the state's 58 counties. The nine counties were Inyo, Marin, Mono, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz. Associated Press News (New York), July 8, 2021

The U.S. Forest Service announced that it will not conduct any further fire burning operations for the purpose of clearing brush and small trees on national forest lands as the agency holds a review of protocols and practices before planned operations this fall. Extreme fire danger and unfavorable weather conditions were reasons for the suspension of operations. Associated Press News (New York), May 20, 2022

Los Fresnos has entered stage two of the Drought Contingency Plan because Falcon Lake in Zapata County and Amistad Reservoir are both below 35% of capacity. Residents are asked water outdoors only thrice weekly or less, not to water sidewalks and to repair leaks. ValleyCentral.com (Brownsville, Texas), May 20, 2022

A plant nursery in Savannah has moved some plants out of direct sunlight and is watering plants twice daily to cope with the heat and drought. Horticulturalists at the University of Georgia’s State Botanical Gardens in Athens focus on planting native plants that will tolerate heat and dry conditions better than nonnative ones. Savannah Morning News (Ga.), May 21, 2022

Brown wheat mites, in addition to drought, are affecting some of the wheat in western Oklahoma. The mites are usually seen in dry conditions, but an outbreak has not occurred in years. Rainfall and pesticides can help mitigate brown wheat mites, but little rain has fallen, given the drought. Some producers already collected insurance on their crop, stated the Mesonet agriculture coordinator, and the best wheat yield estimate he has seen is a 50% crop. KOSU-FM Oklahoma Public Radio (Stillwater, Okla.), May 18, 2022

Effective May 18, residents of Aguilar may not water grass or gardens, wash vehicles or fill swimming pools because the town’s wells are not producing as much water as they normally do. Water will not be sold to water haulers. KKTV-TV CBS 11 Colorado Springs (Colo.), May 18, 2022

The marinas at Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison will not open this boating season because Lake Powell may need more water. Federal and state officials originally intended to allow Blue Mesa Reservoir to refill this year and not be tapped to bolster Lake Powell, but if the water is needed, it may be released. The Elk Creek and Lake Fork marinas usually open by May 1, but the National Park Service delayed the opening as they awaited updated forecasts on water inflows into Lake Powell, which should receive about 60% of normal flows. The local economy depends on recreation and tourism and may be affected by the decision to leave the marinas closed. Colorado Public Radio News (Centennial, Colo.), May 18, 2022

The Carson and Santa Fe national forests in northern New Mexico closed completely to the public, meaning no access and no hiking or biking along the trails. The Cibola National Forest in western New Mexico partially closed to the public, including anything within Mount Taylor, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts, including the Sandia Mountains. The closures were to last until the end of the year, but will instead last through July 18. KOAT 7 Action News (Albuquerque, N.M.), May 19, 2022

Extreme heat and severe drought could cause power plants to fail in California, Texas and the Midwest this summer, according to North American Electric Reliability Corp. The continuing drought in the West has reduced hydropower production and caused more wildfires in the Western U.S. Reuters (New York), May 18, 2022