Drought

Drought stress was apparent in rangelands, pastures and some croplands in West Central Texas. Hay fields were in fair condition, but were deteriorating for lack of rain. Some livestock producers were opting to give cattle supplemental hay. North Texas e-News (Fannin, Texas), Aug. 7, 2019

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Kenai Peninsula Borough, due to the wildfires that have consumed roughly 83 structures and damaged public facilities, communications and utility lines. The McKinley, Deshka Landing and Swan Lake wildfires caused the evacuations of about 400 people and disrupted travel along the Sterling and Parks highways and the Alaska Railroad. Drought, exceedingly dry fuels, strong winds and low humidity have hindered firefighting efforts. KTVA-TV CBS 11 Anchorage (Alaska), Aug. 23, 2019

The village of Nanwalek was receiving emergency air shipments of bottled water from Anchorage after low snowmelt in the spring and almost historic low rainfall over the summer allowed the reservoir to run dry. Four palettes of bottled water arrived on Aug. 15 and two more palettes were en route. KTUU-TV NBC 2 Anchorage (Alaska), Aug. 23, 2019

Despite the record wet weather the U.S. has seen in the past twelve months, mentions of drought-resistant features in home listings remained high in California and Arizona. The term “xeriscape” is often used in New Mexico and Colorado, while drought mentions in Georgia frequently relate to lakefront homeowners’ dock usability amid drought. Yahoo! News (Sunnyvale, Calif.), Aug. 21, 2019

A full burn ban remained in effect for Haines, despite a little bit of rain. All open fires were prohibited, including burn barrels and waste piles. The increased fire danger, due to dry conditions, prompted the federal Division of Forestry to send additional equipment and personnel, including a special fire engine designed to fight brush fires and several helicopter-trained federal wildland firefighters. KHNS (Haines, Alaska), Aug. 23, 2019 A burn ban remained in effect for Haines as drought continued. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette & Arkansas Online (Alaska), Aug. 18, 2019

The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District issued a warning cautioning the public about recreational contact with the Medina and Sabinal rivers, due to poor water quality. As of Aug. 15, the river authority strongly advised that people avoid recreational contact, including swimming, in the Medina and Sabinal rivers and their tributaries because heat and low to no flows have allowed the proliferation of potentially harmful organisms in the water. Bandera Bulletin (Texas), Aug. 21, 2019

Mail delivery on Vermilion Lake was affected by the low lake level as some docks were inaccessible, due to shallow water. Some mailboat customers were given notices, alerting them to the interruption in service. Dozens of residences have water access mail delivery. Tower Timberjay (Minn.), Aug. 22, 2019

The low level of Lake Vermilion has caused boat damage for boaters who were unaware of how shallow the lake had become. An employee at a boat repair business noted that they were selling a propeller per day as people damage theirs in the lake. He urged boaters to be especially careful navigating the lake as new hazardous areas emerge. Tower Timberjay (Minn.), Aug. 22, 2019

The past 45 days of dry weather and extreme temperatures hurt crops in Hardin County. The corn made it through pollination, but endured dryness during the grain fill period, affecting kernel depth and yield. Early planted corn may be average to slightly above average yield, but late-planted corn will probably be well below average. Many cattle producers began feeding hay in recent days, and shallow stock ponds have begun to run dry. Pastures were turning brown. Soybeans were at a critical stage and will likely produce small grain, given the dry weather. The News-Enterprise (Elizabethtown, Ky.), Aug. 18, 2019

Drought and heat led to rapid declines in pastures, hay meadows and vegetable crops in most parts of East Texas. Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas), Aug. 20, 2019

Rangelands and pastures in central Texas received some rain, but still needed more, and hay feeding increased. Livestock conditions were deteriorating, due to drought and heat. Producers needed rain to plow small grain seedbeds to prepare for planting. Soil moisture levels were short in nearly all counties in the district. Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas), Aug. 20, 2019

Bozeman commissioners approved a water rate increase with the goal of reducing waste during drought. Additional fees will also be implemented if a drought is declared to curb water use. The more water used and the higher the drought stage, the higher water rates will be. Bozeman Daily Chronicle (Mont.), Aug. 21, 2019

The soybean harvest was underway in the Coastal Bend, but quality losses were anticipated, given the absence of rain for more than 30 days. Extremely dry rangelands and pastures were deteriorating in quality and quantity. With some grazed pastures being short, producers began supplemental feeding or were giving livestock protein or hay. Some producers sold cattle. Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas), Aug. 20, 2019

The Clallum County Public Utility District encouraged voluntary water conservation for customers of the Gales Addition, Mount Angeles and Monroe water systems, where Stage 2 water alerts were declared. Port Angeles Peninsula Daily News (Wash.), Aug. 19, 2019

A 90-day burn ban took effect in unincorporated parts of Galveston County as hot, dry weather increased the fire risk. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index for the county was 593. KPRC-TV NBC 2 Houston (Texas), Aug. 16, 2019

Belton residents were asked to voluntarily conserve water and limit non-essential water use as the community faced a mild water shortage. The city was in Stage 1 Drought Conditions due to unusually high water use. KXXV-TV ABC 25 Waco (Texas), Aug. 19, 2019

A burn ban took effect in Henderson County for the next 30 days as hot, dry conditions heighten the fire danger. Rusk County officials also adopted an outdoor burn ban. KLTV-TV ABC 7 Tyler (Texas), Aug. 20, 2019

The dry weather in northern Indiana affected crop production and caused soil issues and an increase in insect activity. The first cuttings of hay and alfalfa were excellent, but the yields were down for the second and third cuttings. ABC 57 WBND-TV South Bend News (Ind.), Aug. 16, 2019

Residents of Kodiak were asked to voluntarily curb their water use due to an unusually hot summer and the possibility of a water supply shortage. Kodiak Daily Mirror (Alaska), Aug. 20, 2019

Cotton crop conditions were poor in Far West Texas, due to high winds and dry weather, with some fields wilting in the eastern part of the district. Producers continued to feed livestock and wildlife. Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas), Aug. 20, 2019 The hot, dry weather in Far West Texas dried out rangelands and pastures as soil moisture decreased. Some cotton began shedding squares and bolls. Producers were giving supplemental hay and feed to livestock and wildlife. Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas), Aug. 13, 2019 In the drier parts of Far West Texas, farmers were offering their livestock supplemental feed. North Texas e-News (Fannin, Texas), July 30, 2019