Drought

Garfield County Commissioners passed an ordinance prohibiting the use, sale or possession of fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county due to “extreme fire danger.” According to Garfield County, sagebrush fuel moisture is at a record low, and shrubs could burn aggressively. KKCO-TV NBC 11 (Grand Junction, Colo.), June 24, 2025

A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources committee declared the nine state counties that had been in drought, including parts of the Lowcountry, were no longer in a drought. The nine counties were Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton, Georgetown, Orangeburg, Bamberg, Horry, and Marion, that were declared back in “normal” status. WCSC-TV Charleston Live 5 News (S.C.), June 25, 2025

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources met on May 22 and determined that recent rainfall eased drought conditions. Berkeley, Charleston, Georgetown, Horry, and Marion went from moderate drought to incipient drought. Bamberg, Colleton, Dorchester and Orangeburg counties remained in incipient drought. All of the other counties were in normal status. WPDE (Conway, S.C.), May 22, 2025

Phase two water restrictions were in effect for Wichita and have been since August 2024. June was the city’s sixth wettest on record, and Cheney Reservoir has refilled to 95.88% of capacity and less than a foot below normal. Wichita determines drought stages by the 12-month rolling average of the conservation pool. By that calculation, the soonest that the city might emerge from phase two drought restrictions would be March 2026. The Wichita Eagle (Kan.), June 24, 2025 Wichita remained in stage two drought conditions with outdoor watering allowed once per week. Cheney Lake was nearly eight feet below normal. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), April 9, 2025 Wichita remained in stage 2 drought restrictions. Given the level of Cheney Reservoir, which was nearly 59% full, the stage 2 restrictions could persist for a while as stage 2 restrictions are in effect when the 12-month moving average of Cheney Reservoir’s conservation pool is between 50% and 69%. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), Feb 26, 2025 Wichita remained in stage 2 of its drought response plan and will continue at that level beyond the end of September as Cheney Lake continued to become more depleted. Water restriction violators will also be fined. The city has also sent out 302 warning letters to people thought to be violating the restrictions. KSN.com (Wichita, Kan.), Sept 19, 2024 Stage 2 water restrictions will begin in Wichita on Monday, August 5, due to drought, intense heat, rapid evaporation and poor water conservation. The restrictions, with the aim of reducing communitywide water use by 10%, will last for two months until irrigation season is over at the end of September. At that time, city leaders will reassess the need for restrictions. KAKE (Wichita, Kan.), Aug 1, 2024

A small number of wells in north central Baltimore County was not producing enough water. WJZ-TV CBS 13 Baltimore (Md.), June 24, 2025

Hoot–owl restrictions were in effect on the upper Madison River above Hebgen Lake, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The hoot–owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. These restrictions began Thursday, June 19, and will stay in effect until conditions improve. Daily Montanan (Helena, Mont.), June 20, 2025

The Poweshiek Water Association enacted mandatory water conservation orders at the start of March for Tama and Amana systems, just like in 2024. The water association planned to drill new wells in Tama and Amana in July Iowa Capital Dispatch (Des Moines, Iowa), June 18, 2025

The city of Ellensburg has temporarily ceded some of its water rights to support emergency drought relief efforts in the Yakima River Basin. Ecology will compensate Ellensburg $258,000 for using no more than 43% of the water right. GoSkagit (Mount Vernon, Wash.), June 18, 2025

Mandatory water restrictions took effect on Nantucket on June 20 after the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force declared a Level 1 drought on the island. New lawn watering rules have taken effect, which allow lawn watering twice per week during specific hours. Nantucket Current (Mass.), June 20, 2025

Despite the burn ban being lifted in Lee County, fire officials expressed strong concerns about home fireworks use and urged the public to enjoy a professional show. B1039 (Estero, Fla.), June 20, 2025

Doylestown Township ended its mandatory drought restrictions after abundant rainfall and cooler temperatures restored groundwater well levels to pre-drought conditions. Residents were asked to continue to be mindful of their water use. TAPinto (Hackensack, N.J.), June 20, 2025 Mandatory drought restrictions for all Doylestown Borough Water Department customers were lifted as rain improved the system’s groundwater levels to pre-drought levels, according to the water department. The mandatory water restrictions took effect last fall. According to officials, the borough was moving from a Stage II Drought Warning to a Stage I Drought Watch. If groundwater levels continued to rise through June, all stages would be lifted. Doylestown, PA Patch, June 3, 2025 Mandatory water restrictions on nonessential water use remained in effect for Doylestown Borough since its drought warning was declared in November 2024. Residents may not use hoses or sprinklers to water shrubs, trees or lawns or wash cars. Area aquifers have not yet recovered after last year’s drought. Doylestown Township has similar restrictions in place on the use of public water due to the drought. TAPinto (Hackensack, N.J.), May 20, 2025 The Doylestown Township Municipal Authority issued a drought emergency declaration as groundwater levels declined due to the ongoing drought. Water users were urged to curb their water use by 15% to 20%. Under the declaration, outdoor watering and vehicle washing were prohibited. PhillyBurbs.com (Philadelphia, Pa.), Nov 14, 2024

Cities in southwest Iowa that receive water from the Regional Water Rural Water Association remained in a “red” level advisory that restricts some activities like lawn watering, pool filling and car washing. Drought over the past 10 years has affected groundwater stores. Iowa Capital Dispatch (Des Moines, Iowa), June 18, 2025 Water demand has exceeded sustainable water supply levels, particularly during peak use periods. A Level Red advisory has been declared for water customers in Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Harrison, and Northern Pottawattamie counties, which receive water from the Avoca Treatment Plant System. Wells were low due to drought, and water sources were operating at less than 60% of capacity. This includes the communities of Avoca, Persia, Panama, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Earling, Exira, and Brayton. Some of the mandatory water use restrictions included prohibition on outdoor watering, pavement washing, vehicle washing, and pool filling and refilling. Regional Water Rural Water Association (Avoca, Iowa), May 14, 2025

Water users in Shenandoah have been under water restrictions for about a year and a half. The city was presently in a stage four restriction prohibiting lawn watering, pool filling and watering with a hose outdoors. Iowa Capital Dispatch (Des Moines, Iowa), June 18, 2025 Shenandoah was in Stage 4 water conservation following a city council vote. Under stage 4 restrictions, water may not be used for non-commercial irrigation, except for businesses that sell or cultivate plants. KCCI TV 8 (Des Moines, Iowa), Oct 24, 2024

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced that the regional drought watch had been lifted, citing improved water supplies. The watch took effect in July 2024. The region has returned to the normal stage of the Regional Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan. ARLnow (Arlington, Va.), June 20, 2025 The District of Columbia region remained in a drought watch that began in July 2024. Water reserves may need to be used this summer if sufficient rain does not fall. WTOP News (Washington, D.C.), May 9, 2025 The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced that the drought watch, initially enacted in July, would continue through the fall and winter months. This marks the first regional drought watch since 2010, affecting nearly 6 million residents across the D.C. metro area. This comes as D.C. entered its 35th day without measurable rain, breaking the local record dating back to 1872, according to the Capital Weather Gang. ARLNow (Arlington, Va.), Nov 7, 2024 The Washington, D.C. area is under a drought watch as announced by the Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Residents and businesses were urged to conserve water. ARLnow (Arlington, Va.), July 29, 2024

West Palm Beach began using its emergency wells on April 17 to supplement its water supply for the roughly 130,000 residents of West Palm, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach. There was concern over whether the regional system, which includes Lake Okeechobee, holds enough water to augment the water supply until the rainy season is in full swing. The Palm Beach Post (Fla.), June 19, 2025

The Baker County Board of Commissioners asked Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a drought emergency after the county endured the driest spring since at least World War II. Commissioners voted unanimously on June 18 to declare a local drought disaster. Ranchers were moving their livestock to other rangeland for grazing earlier than usual, which will lead to a shortage of rangeland feed later in the year. The wildfire threat was elevated due to the dryness. Baker City Herald (Wash.), June 18, 2025

Many tulip trees in southeast Ohio and central West Virginia have had fewer leaves than usual. Washington County seemed to have been most affected by tulip trees, also known as yellow poplars, having sparse leaves. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources conducted an aerial flight survey to assess the severity of defoliation. “The thinned and, in some cases, bare crowns of yellow poplars were apparent from the plane,” according to Thomas Macy, forest health program manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “The damage was patchy in nature, and not consistent across the landscape, but was consistent with the reports we’ve been receiving, and what we’ve been observing on the ground.” Athens County Independent (Ohio), June 18, 2025

Recent rainfall allowed Victoria to shift from stage III water restrictions to stage II. Under stage II restrictions, lawn watering using a sprinkler, pool filling and vehicle washing may only be done during certain hours. NewsTalk 1290 (Wichita Falls, Texas), June 18, 2025

The City of Victoria entered Stage III of its drought contingency plan due to low rainfall reducing the level of the Guadalupe River. The goal was to lower water use by 15%. Outdoor watering was permitted twice weekly. Crossroads Today (Victoria, Texas), May 21, 2025

Dry weather ruined the winter wheat in Texas, where custom harvesters said that the crop was zeroed out. Brownfield Ag News (Jefferson City, Mo.), June 17, 2025