Drought

Gov. Dan McKee issued a drought advisory for all of Rhode Island on Dec. 4. The state’s Drought Steering Committee recommended the advisory, which is the first of four progressive drought declarations, followed by watch, warning, and emergency. WLNE-TV ABC 6 (Providence, R.I.), Dec 4, 2024

Drought may prevent the two reenactments of Washington and the Continental Army crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776 due to the low level of the river. The first reenactment was scheduled for Sunday, December 8, and the second on Christmas Day. The Coast Guard will determine whether the event can take place. The Durham boat could get stuck in the mud, and the water must be high enough for dock installation. PhillyBurbs.com (Philadelphia, Pa.), Dec 3, 2024

A Christmas tree grower in Derby changed how he waters his trees by filling a bucket with tiny holes to direct the water to the trees’ roots and reduce evaporation. KSN.com (Wichita, Kan.), Dec 2, 2024

A livestock producer in Lincoln County began feeding hay one month early, which is costly. WAFF TV (Huntsville, Ala.), Dec 2, 2024

Christmas trees grown in Owasso did not grow in the latter part of the season as they typically do, due to drought. KJRH-TV Tulsa 2 (Okla.), Dec 2, 2024

Latrobe water customers were dealing with discolored water due to elevated sediment content in the water as the area experienced drought. The yellowish or brownish water was safe to drink, according to the Latrobe Municipal Authority chairperson. The problem was that last week’s rainstorm stirred up sediment in the reservoir, which was very low due to drought. TribLIVE (Philadelphia, Pa.), Nov 25, 2024

Pasture conditions in east central Ohio remained poor or very poor, and the hay crop was just a small percentage of a normal second cutting. A third cutting of hay was nonexistent across the area. Morning Ag Clips (Greenwich, N.Y.), Nov 25, 2024

The fall drought left a cattle producer in the Pine Belt feeding his cattle since there wasn’t the usual rye grass for them. A soybean grower appreciated the dry conditions during the harvest. WDAM TV 7 (Hattiesburg, Miss.), Nov 21, 2024

Quality forages were lacking for South Carolina's grazing animals. Cool-season forages could not be planted, according to the agricultural outreach director for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. He noted that produced would be forced to sell livestock due to the lack of available forages for the winter season.

About 500 Christmas tree seedlings of the 2,700 that were planted in Mendon last spring died. Older, better established trees appeared to be unaffected by the drought. A Christmas tree grower in Orwigsburg lost a similar fraction of his trees. He noted that the young trees were not able to grow roots deep enough to reach moisture and that there will be fewer large trees for sale in five to six years when these would be marketable. WTXF-TV FOX 29 Philadelphia (Pa.), Nov 18, 2024

Some tourism businesses in the Pinelands have lost money due to drought. An outfitter that depended on the Mullica and Batsto rivers ended their kayak season on Aug. 23, although it usually runs through Oct. 31. Kayaking trips continued on the Batsto River as water levels were higher. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pa.), Nov 25, 2024

Sections of the Coplay and Jordan creeks in Lehigh County dried up, leading to the deaths of hundreds of fish. About 1,000 fish being raised over the summer by the Lehigh River Stocking Association died amid the low river flows and warm temperatures. Drought affected more than just fish, which were more susceptible to diseases. The fish depend on insects for food, and birds like herons rely on the fish for food. In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the Green Lane Reservoir was so low that one could walk across dry areas in the reservoir. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pa.), Nov 25, 2024

Delaware’s outdoor burn ban that took effect on Oct. 15 has ended. The state remained in a drought watch. Delaware Online (Dover, Del.), Nov 25, 2024 Due to dry conditions, the Delaware State Fire Marshal enacted a burn ban on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Bonfires, controlled burns, agricultural burns, land clearing burns are some of the fires that are prohibited. The ban will remain in effect until measurable rain falls again. The News Journal Online (Delaware), Oct 15, 2024

La Vergne has entered phase 2 of its drought management plan. Water conservation was encouraged and water use for non-essential activities was to be limited. WSMV (Nashville, Tenn.), Nov 22, 2024

A Christmas tree grower in Salina planted 300 to 400 seedlings this year, but lost most of those during the dry growing season. They usually have several thousand trees ready to be cut for the holidays, but have hundreds of trees. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), Nov 22, 2024

The smell of the tap water in Abington has been described as a chemical or plastic odor for the past several days, but Aqua Pennsylvania assured its customers that the water is safe to consume. The problem was that the drought forced the water provider to switch water sources. “The noticeable taste and smell, often reported as a stronger smell of chlorine, was traced to our Neshaminy Plant, which supplies water to portions of Montgomery and Bucks counties. We believe the drought conditions have led to changes with our source water that is impacting the taste and smell of the drinking water,” the water provider stated in text sent to The Inquirer. The issue was expected to be resolved with the recent rainfall and tweaks to the water treatment process. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Pa.), Nov 21, 2024

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was monitoring lake in northeast Kansas as drought caused their levels to fall. Water continued to be released from the reservoirs to maintain water supply and quality in the river basins.

Water users in Pine Grove were asked to conserve because the creek that brings water to the treatment plant’s intake was too low. A tanker truck delivered 7,000 gallons to the community that uses about 80,000 gallons daily. Farms’ wells have run dry, and creeks, too, have dried up. WCHS-TV ABC 8 (Charleston, W.V.), Nov 1, 2024

The South Dakota wheat crop was variable across the state. In some places, the seed had not germinated, with the seed in dry dirt. In other areas, the stand of wheat was good. Brownfield Ag News (Jefferson City, Mo.), Nov 1, 2024

Valley High School in Wetzel County will be closed on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 because the school lacks water due to drought. Classes will be remote on those days. Decisions have not yet been made about classes next week. WDTV-TV (Bridgeport, W.V.), Oct 31, 2024