Drought

A farmer with irrigation near Weiser in Washington County along the Oregon border reported that his water usage was much higher than normal, due to heat and evaporation. The irrigation water ended almost two months early on Aug. 17, leaving him wondering how his corn, beans and sugar beets will turn out. Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (Pocatello, Idaho), Aug 26, 2021

Dryland crops on the Palouse in northern Idaho produced about 50% or less of normal. Canola made about 1,000 pounds per acre, compared to the typical 2,500 pounds per acre. Winter wheat yields were about half of normal. Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (Pocatello, Idaho), Aug 26, 2021

Several Soda Springs farmers in Caribou County in southeast Idaho were not even cutting their fields because it wasn’t worth it to harvest. Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (Pocatello, Idaho), Aug 26, 202

A Rockland farmer in Power County in southeast Idaho reported that his winter wheat yields were 50% of normal, while his spring wheat yields were 20% to 25% of normal. His dryland neighbors were seeing similar yields. Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (Pocatello, Idaho), Aug 26, 2021

After one of Idaho’s driest years on record and low water supplies, feed was sparse on dryland rangeland after so little rain this summer. The drought and heat are expected to reduce crop yields for many farmers. Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (Pocatello, Idaho), Aug 26, 2021

Communities receiving water from the Davis and Weber Counties Canal Company, based in Sunset, lost secondary water supplies on Sept. 1, due to extreme drought and limited water resources. This is the first time the canal company shut off secondary water before Oct. 1. Customers will not get a refund for the water not received. The aim is to conserve water to have adequate drinking water next year. In an average year, runoff is about 324,000 acre-feet, but only 15% of that runoff occurred with Weber Basin being allocated only 7,000 acre-feet. KSL-TV (Salt Lake City, Utah), Aug 31, 2021

Irrigation supplies were minimal in Southeast Colorado. Kiowa County Press (Eads, Colo.), Aug 31, 2021

Unirrigated crops in Northeast Colorado continued to decline quickly without consistent rain. Low soil moisture ahead of fall planting was a concern, but producers continued preparation for winter wheat seeding. Hot, dry weather hurt pasture and rangeland conditions, leading some producers to seek other grazing arrangements to supplement. Kiowa County Press (Eads, Colo.), Aug 31, 2021

Elevated fire activity was observed in Northwest Colorado, and feed supplies remained very short. Kiowa County Press (Eads, Colo.), Aug 31, 2021

The State Water Resources Control Board sent formal “curtailment notices” to 4,500 farmers drawing water from the Sacramento or San Joaquin rivers and tributaries, ordering them to end the withdrawals or be fined up to $10,000 daily. The cuts in water use are to conserve water for endangered cold water fish and for people should next winter be dry. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.), Aug 20, 2021

The Sacramento City Council voted on Aug. 24 to declare a Stage 2 ‘Water Alert’ intended to reduce demand on the Folsom Reservoir and Lower American River. The city council also voted in favor of the Regional Water Authority's resolution calling for a 15% voluntary water conservation from residents. A Stage 1 ‘Water Watch’ was issued on July 7 with a voluntary conservation goal of up to 10%. KCRA-TV NBC 3 Sacramento (Calif.), Aug 24, 2021

One of Bountiful’s wells was producing water that contained radium in small quantities. The City Water Department director blamed drought for the presence of the radium, saying that the heavier demand on the well meant that dissolved solids were more likely to seep into the drinking water. KSL-TV NBC 5 (Salt Lake City, Utah), Aug 24, 2021

Residents of Anderson were asked to curb their water use, including lawn watering, because the city’s water treatment plant processed a record amount of water on Aug. 25, prompting the request for conservation. WISHTV.com Channel 8 (Indianapolis, Ind.), Aug 26, 2021

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation on Aug. 16 announced additional fishing closures on the Big Hole River that will remain in effect until Oct. 31. Red Rock Creek in southwest Montana and Shields River near Bozeman have both had sections closed since mid-July. Fishing restrictions were lifted on some western Montana rivers. Sections of the Big Hole River and Beaverhead River will be closed from Nov. 1 until the third week of May 2022 in order to protect brown trout spawning habitats. KHQ-TV NBC 6 (Spokane, Wash.), Aug 25, 2021

Iowa waterfowl hunters will need to scout for good sites because drought has left many wetlands dry or nearly so. KGAN-TV CBS 2 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Aug 24, 2021

Drought and a late May hard freeze reduced the amount of berries and brackens available for bears in northeastern Minnesota. Bear hunters can expect a lot of activity at their baits. The Timberjay (Tower, Minn.), Aug 25, 2021

Drought has snakes on the move seeking food and water in Southern California with snakes turning up in homes, garages and backyards. KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles (Calif.), Aug 23, 2021

Santa Barbara County residents were seeing more wildlife like coyotes, bears and rattlesnakes as the creatures likely travel further to find food and water amid drought. The San Luis Obispo Tribune (Calif.), Aug 25, 2021

Drought is stressful for Minnesota farmers and ranchers struggling with making difficult choices. A link for mental health help on their Facebook page garnered nearly 2,500 clicks in 18 days as farmers deal with bare pastures and little to no crops to harvest. Telemedicine makes it easier to get support because it can be accessed discreetly. Minnesota Public Radio (St. Paul, Minn.), Aug 25, 2021

Thirty-three lawmakers from the Western U.S. urged President Biden to declare a drought disaster for the West as extreme heat and epic wildfires burn. NBC News (New York), Aug 26, 2021