KANSAS 2012 DROUGHT UPDATE August 10, 2012

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1 KANSAS 2012 DROUGHT UPDATE August 10, 2012 Summary of Climate and Drought Conditions and Responses Executive Order issued by the Governor July 25, 2012, remains in effect, placing all Kansas counties under Emergency Drought Stage. August 8, 2012, USDA designated an additional eight counties as primary federal agricultural disaster areas, for a total of 103 counties. The remaining two counties are considered contiguous and are also eligible for disaster programs. Governor has requested federal disaster designation for Marshall and Nemaha counties. The U.S. Drought Monitor for August 7, 2012 shows the entire state in severe drought or worse. Extreme drought now covers 90 percent of the state, with over 39 percent of the state in exceptional drought. State Conservation Commission has cost-share available for livestock watering improvements. A drought watch remains in effect for the Water Marketing Program customers from Clinton Lake, Hillsdale Lake, Melvern Lake, Pomona Lake, Council Grove Lake, Marion Reservoir, Big Hill Lake, Elk City Reservoir, and Kanopolis Reservoir. A drought warning was issued August 6 for the Cottonwood/ Neosho River Assurance District, triggering Stage 2- water warning of public water suppliers conservation plans in that District. A drought watch remains in effect for the Kansas River and the Marais des Cygnes River Assurance Districts. This triggers the Water Watch (Stage 1) of members water conservation plans. Public water suppliers continue to request or mandate water conservation practices. o Stage 3 - Water Emergency: mandatory measures, 4 (Ellsworth, Russell, Augusta and Mulvane) o Stage 2 - Water Warning: some restrictions, 30 o Stage 1 - Water Watch: voluntary conservation, 73 Minimum Desirable Streamflow (MDS) Administration in place above 17 gages, requiring 541 appropriations junior to MDS to cease diversion. Health Advisories (6) and Warnings (8) are in effect for lakes due to concentrations of harmful toxin(s) or cyanobacteria cell counts. Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag warnings for fire conditions continue to be issued for many areas of Kansas each day. Burning restrictions in at least 79 counties and 11 communities. Counties under Kansas drought stages are shown on the map below. Drought stages remain in effect as the overall conditions for plant growth and deficits in precipitation require careful consideration in planning for future water use and needs as well as crop and pasture conditions. Kansas County Drought Declarations: The Governor s Executive Order (July 25, 2012) remains in effect. All 105 counties are under state Drought Emergency. 1

2 Federal: USDA agricultural disaster declarations are based on anticipated crop losses, while Kansas drought stages are based primarily on water resource conditions. Damages and losses prompting Secretarial disaster designations must be due to a natural disaster; and a minimum 30 percent production loss of at least one crop in the county must have occurred. Natural disaster conditions include: a blizzard, cyclone, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, severe hail, excessive rain, heavy snow, ice and/or high wind, an electrical storm, several weather patterns sustained over a period of time, including low or high temperatures, and related pests, epidemics or fires. Through July 12 and July 25, designations by USDA their fast track policy, a total 91counties are now designated agricultural disasters due to drought in Kansas. Another 9 counties are also eligible for disaster programs as contiguous counties. July 18, the Kansas Governor sent a request to USDA for disaster designation due to drought for 37 additional counties, 25 of these counties were included in the July 25 designation, August 1, four more of these counties were designated and August 8 an additional eight. The designation of the remaining two counties, Marshall and Nemaha, has been requested by the Governor. Federal Disaster Primary Kansas Counties: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Labette, Lane, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Morton, Neosho, Ness, Norton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Rawlins, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Thomas, Trego, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson and Wyandotte Federal Disaster Assistance for Producers Agricultural producers from the Kansas counties declared as disaster areas are eligible for emergency FSA loans. The current loan interest rate, which was set in 1993 at 3.75percent, was reduced by USDA to 2.25 percent. Additionally, USDA lowered the rental payment reduction when landowners use Conservation Reserve Program acres for emergency grazing and haying from 25 percent to 10 percent in

3 In addition to the USDA assistance announced in July (described later in document), on August 7 the President announced additional drought response as described below. Additional USDA Emergency Funding to assist livestock and crop producers: To assist producers facing extreme drought conditions, USDA announced Tuesday that it will utilize nearly $16 million in financial and technical assistance to immediately help crop and livestock producers in 19 states cope with the adverse impacts of the historic drought. In addition, USDA will initiate a transfer of $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program. These funds can be used to assist in moving water to livestock in need, providing emergency forage for livestock, and rehabilitating lands severely impacted by the drought. Together these efforts should provide nearly $30 million to producers struggling with drought conditions. Department of Transportation Emergency Exemptions of Federal Operating Requirements: This authority can put more commercial drivers behind the wheel-driving large trucks needed to assist the farmers and ranchers in need. If a qualifying drought emergency has been declared in a state by the Governor or appropriate official, the state automatically gets Hours of Service and other regulatory relief for those providing emergency assistance; no application is needed. If the situation does not qualify for emergency relief, the Federal rules regulating large truck and bus operations may be waived in certain circumstances. DOT can process a request to waive regulations in 7-14 days. Department of Interior grazing on Federal lands: The Department of the Interior s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the USDA Forest Service are providing relief to ranchers who graze on public lands by employing flexibility to accommodate needs and conditions on the ground. BLM will issue refunds to cattlemen that were displaced by early season fires and therefore not able to make use of their allotments and the Forest Service has liberally granted Permittee requested non-use. Both agencies are making vacant land available for grazing and allowing for: changes in grazing use, including delayed or early turnout if conditions allow; increased salting to improve livestock distribution; water hauling and temporary portable water troughs; and other measures. Other assistance is outlined in the press release Assistance announced July 23 using the Secretary of Agriculture s authority to help create and encourage flexibility within four USDA programs includes: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Allow additional acres under CRP to be used for haying or grazing under emergency conditions. CRP is a voluntary program that provides producers with annual rental payments on their land in exchange for planting resource-conserving crops on cropland to help prevent erosion, provide wildlife habitat and improve the environment. CRP acres can already be used for emergency haying and grazing during natural disasters to provide much needed feed to livestock. Given the widespread nature of this drought, forage for livestock is already substantially reduced. Vilsack s action will allow lands that are not yet classified as "under severe drought," but are "abnormally dry," to be used for haying and grazing. Haying and grazing will only be allowed following the local birds primary nesting seasons, which have already passed in most areas. Especially sensitive lands, such as wetlands, stream buffers and rare habitats will not be eligible. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) This program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers by allowing them to modify current EQIP contracts to allow for prescribed grazing, livestock watering facilities, water conservation and other conservation activities to address drought conditions. EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns on their agricultural and forest land. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will work closely with producers to modify existing EQIP contracts to ensure successful implementation of planned conservation practices. Where conservation activities have failed because of drought, NRCS will look for opportunities to work with farmers and ranchers to re-apply those activities. In the short term, funding will be targeted towards hardest hit drought areas. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Authorized haying and grazing of WRP easement areas in drought-affected areas where such haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. WRP is a voluntary conservation easement program that provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers to restore and protect valuable wetland resources on their property. For producers with land currently enrolled in WRP, NRCS has 3

4 expedited its Compatible Use Authorization (CUA) process to allow for haying and grazing. The compatible use authorization process offers NRCS and affected producers with the management flexibility to address short-term resource conditions in a manner that promotes both the health of the land and the viability of the overall farming operation. Federal Crop Insurance Program USDA will encourage crop insurance companies to voluntarily forego charging interest on unpaid crop insurance premiums for an extra 30 days (to Nov. 1, 2012) for spring crops. Policy holders who are unable to pay their premiums in a timely manner accrue an interest penalty of 1.25 percent per month until payment is made. In an attempt to help producers through this difficult time, Vilsack sent a letter to crop insurance companies asking them to voluntarily defer the accrual of any interest on unpaid spring crop premiums by producers until November. In turn, to assist the crop insurance companies, USDA will not require crop insurance companies to pay uncollected producer premiums until one month later. USDA-Farm Service Agency has assistance available to producers in Edwards, Ellsworth, Rice and Stafford counties affected by tornados and high winds from storms April 14 and 15, Producers with eligible damage in approved counties may file an application for cost-share assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) from May 14 through June 22, ECP provides emergency cost-share assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. The damage must be of such magnitude that it would be too costly for the producer to rehabilitate without Federal assistance. Participants can receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost to implement approved emergency conservation practices. Practices approved in these counties include: removing debris from farmland; grading, shaping, and re-leveling measures; restoring permanent fences; restoring conservation structures or other installations; and field windbreaks and farmstead shelterbelts emergency measures. Major Disaster Declarations or Emergency Declarations are issued for major disasters by the president, based on the governor s request to (FEMA). These declarations authorize federal assistance to individuals or state and local governments. Major Disaster Declarations (Presidential) Number Date Declared Description /24/2012 Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straightline Winds, and Flooding Counties Edwards, Ellsworth, Harper, Hodgeman, Jewell, Kiowa, Mitchell, Osborne, Rice, Rush, Russell, Sedgwick, Stafford, and Sumner /23/2011 Flooding Atchison, Doniphan, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte /29/2011 Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding Barton, Clay, Cloud, Hamilton, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Mitchell, Morton, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, and Washington Up-to-date information regarding declared disaster counties and assistance available due to federal declarations is available at General Federal Disaster Assistance USDA s Rural Development works with existing individual and community borrowers that have been affected by a natural disaster to help them with their loans. With respect to loans guaranteed by Rural Development, borrowers should initially contact their lender for assistance. USDA s Farm Service Agency provides emergency loans through the Emergency Loan Program to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters. Producers will be eligible for these loans as soon as their county is declared a Presidential or Secretarial disaster county. Last week, Vilsack announced three significant improvements to USDA programs and processes related to Secretarial disaster designations: a final rule that simplifies the process for Secretarial disaster designations and will result in a 40 percent reduction in processing time for most counties affected by disasters; a reduced interest rate for emergency loans that effectively lowers the current rate from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent; and a payment reduction on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands qualified for emergency haying and grazing in 2012, from 25 to 10 percent. USDA s Risk Management Agency aids producers on crop losses, those with questions should contact their crop insurance companies and local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Centers, as applicable, to report damages to crops or 4

5 livestock loss, and not to destroy or discontinue care for your crops. Farmers and ranchers who participate in the federal crop insurance program should contact their agent or company as soon as they experience any failing crops. USDA assures producers that indemnity payments will be made to producers who submit claims for crops and livestock. In addition, USDA reminds livestock producers to keep thorough records of losses, including additional expenses for such things as food purchased due to lost supplies. USDA s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, which provides assistance to areas that have been damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, windstorms, drought, and wildfires. In partnership and through local government sponsors, NRCS helps local communities recover from natural disasters. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service provides food assistance to those in need in areas affected by a disaster. This Federal assistance is in addition to that provided by State and local governments. USDA provides disaster food assistance in three ways: provides foods to State agencies for distribution to shelters and other mass feeding sites; provides food to State agencies for distribution directly to households in need in certain limited situations; and authorizes State agencies to issue Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits. Drought related program information is found at: DEVELOPMENT. Forms for disaster relief programs are found at: Specific assistance information is found in the Crop, Feed and Livestock section of this report. General Conditions Over the past week, the areas of extreme and exceptional drought expanded. The August 7 map indicates further intensification drought conditions over the past week. An area of exceptional drought was added in east central Kansas and the existing area expanded in the west. The table accompanying the map compares the percentage of the state currently affected by drought conditions with several points during the past year. 5

6 Palmer Drought Severity Index - The Palmer Index (PDSI) is an indicator used in the U.S. Drought Monitor. The statewide average PDSI for the week The precipitation needed, up to 15 inches in Kansas, to bring the Palmer Drought Index near normal (-0.5) is shown in the map at right. More information on the Drought Monitor categories can be found in a separate document under useful links on the KWO drought page. Climate (Precipitation and Temperature) The maps below provide a summary of precipitation in the past week. The table below summarizes precipitation by climate division and various time periods. Please note that the data used in compiling is preliminary and comes from different sources. This may result in slight differences in the average or extreme values presented. Climate Division Actual Kansas Climate Division Precipitation Summary (inches) August 1-8 January 1 to August 8 April 1 to August 8 September 1 to August 8 Normal percent Normal Actual Normal percent Normal Actual Normal percent Normal Actual Normal percent Normal Northwest West Central Southwest North Central Central South Central Northeast East Central Southeast STATE Note: normal value, 100 percent =normal Source: KSU Weather Data Library 6

7 Public Water Supply Conditions Water conservation plans were triggered in 39 communities and 41 rural water districts that obtain water from state storage in federal reservoirs (directly or indirectly) under a water watch, as of July 6. River Water Assurance members in the Kansas, Cottonwood/Neosho and Marais des Cygnes rivers drainages have been requested to initiate conservation measures, involving 22 additional water suppliers and a few industrial water users. On August 6, the Cottonwood/Neosho River Assurance District was directed to initiate a water warning (Stage 2 conservation) measures. The Kansas and Marais des Cygnes remain in Stage 1. (Appendix A provides a list of known conservation stages.) In addition to those discussed above, the following public water suppliers have requested or mandated restrictions (notifications to state or in the press): Barton County: Susank implemented Stage 2 July 25 due to well water levels of their supplier the City of Otis. Barton Count RWD 02 is in Stage 1 of their Water Conservation Plan. Bourbon County: Fort Scott and the Bourbon County Consolidated RWD 2 in Stage 1 July 30, Brown County: Kickapoo Tribe initiated mandatory restrictions (Similar to Stage 2) August 1, Butler County: Water restrictions are in place for the City of Augusta, due to low Augusta City Lake levels. Restrictions began July 12, 2011 and remain in effect. The City of Mulvane has also been under a water emergency since July 12, 2011 and is under mandatory water restrictions, since Augusta supplies their water. Clay County: Morganville reported critically low well water level in main well July 31. Plan to pump secondary well. Cloud County: Concordia in Stage 2, July 27, Decatur County: City of Oberlin in Stage 2 water warning of their water conservation plan due to well water level declines and large daily demands. Stage 2 implements lawn water restrictions, restricts other outdoor water uses and imposes excess water use charges. Dickinson County: Dickinson County RWD 1 in water warning effective July 27. The City of Abilene initiated voluntary conservation July 11. In addition, Ordinance 3197 permanently bans outside watering May 1-September 30 between 12pm and 7pm. Douglas County: City of Lawrence has initiated voluntary restrictions. Ellis County: Victoria Stage 1, Hays Stage 1 August 7,

8 Ellsworth County: City of Ellsworth Stage 3 water emergency on July 24. Ford County: Dodge City has asked residents to voluntarily reduce water usage (Stage 1). Franklin: Ottawa voluntary conservation (Stage 1). Gove County: Quinter to Stage 1 on July 24. Jefferson County: Valley Falls, Stage 1, Nortonville, Jefferson County RWD 13 and McClouth, voluntary conservation, Jefferson RWD 1 and RWD 8, Meridan banning outdoor watering, Class 1 of their Emergency/Drought Ordinance. Johnson County: Desoto, Olathe, Johnson County RWD 1, and Spring Hill have requested voluntary water conservation. WaterOne has requested portions of Leawood, Overland Park, and Prairie Village and the southeast corner of the Johnson County, including Stilwell, and northern Miami County limit outdoor water use. Logan County: The City of Oakley has enacted Stage 1 as of June 29. Lyon County: City of Emporia has implemented voluntary outside watering restrictions (Stage 1). Marion County: City of Florence issued voluntary restriction July 20. City of Goessel declared a water warning due to ongoing drought and limited well pumping capacity on June 12, 2012 by Resolution Miami County: Paola and Spring Hill has requested voluntary water conservation. WaterOne has requested portions northern Miami County limit outdoor water use. Nemaha County: City of Seneca, Nemaha County RWD 1 and Bern have requested voluntary water conservation. Neosho County: City of Chanute in Stage 1 since July 6. Osage County: Osage County RWD 2 implemented water conservation ordinance for Class 1 use (July 3). Ottawa County: Bennington went to water watch on July 17. Phillips County: City of Logan is in Stage 2 of their water conservation plan which includes lawn and golf course watering, car washing, swimming pool filling restrictions and an excess water use charge for use above the amount used in winter. Phillipsburg reported to go to Stage 2 on July 26. Rice County: City of Lyons is in Stage 1 water conservation, voluntary measures. Rush County: City of Otis implemented Stage 2 due to wells at a critical stage. Russell County: Stage 3 Water Emergency (water restrictions) was declared for Russell July 6, 2012; Stage 3 prohibits most outdoor uses and asks industrial/commercial water users to reduce their consumption to 75 percent of their average monthly consumption. Russell County RWD3 implemented Stage 2, July 25 due to well water levels of their supplier, City of Otis. Saline County: City of Salina issued a water watch on July 6, 2012, requesting voluntary reduction of water use. Shawnee County: City of Topeka requesting voluntary restrictions also affecting Jackson County RWD 1, Shawnee Consolidated RWD 1, Shawnee County Consolidated RWD 3, Shawnee County RWD 8, and Osage County RWD 8. Rossville requested voluntary conservation July 25. Silver Lake reports lowest well levels in 20 years. Sherman County: City of Goodland approved water watch July 9, encouraging voluntary water conservation. 8

9 Sumner County: City of Caldwell, and Sumner County RWD 7 imposed water restrictions starting on July 9. Thomas County: Oakley requests voluntary conservation and Colby encourages citizens to conserve water. Wyandotte County: Bonner Springs in water watch (Stage 1). Emergency Water Supply and Livestock Water Assistance A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for emergency use of state fishing lake water under conditions of drought emergency declared by the Governor is in place. This will allow communities and individuals within the emergency counties category to pump water from named state fishing lakes if they are in dire need of water. The MOU limits the types of water use and a fee may be set for use of the state fishing lakes water supply. This MOU establishes a use priority of domestic, municipal and then livestock uses, while also protecting the lake s fish population. Additional water supply may also be available for Drought Emergency counties from federal lakes. Water from U.S. Army Corps of Engineer lakes is available for domestic and livestock use but is prohibited for irrigation use. Individuals and communities first must contact the Kansas Water Office (KWO) with their water supply request. They will then be directed to the appropriate Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism or U.S. Army Corps office to obtain the necessary permit to withdraw the water. Permission is required before anyone can draw water from the selected lakes. If harmful algal blooms are present in water then access may be denied. The permit limits the types of water use and a fee may be set for use of the state fishing lakes water supply and federal reservoirs. State Fishing Lakes The state fishing lakes that could be available for drought emergency withdrawals are: Atchison, Barber, Brown, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Clark, Crawford, Goodman, Jewell, Kingman, Leavenworth, Lyon, Pottawatomie #1, Pottawatomie #2, McPherson, Miami, Mined Lands (Pits), Neosho, Osage, Ottawa, Saline, Scott, Shawnee, Sheridan, Washington, Wilson and Woodson. Emergency withdrawal contracts for livestock: One contract is in place and another pending from Miami Lake, one from Shawnee, one from Crawford and one from Osage state fishing lakes. Corp of Engineers Reservoirs The federal reservoirs that could be available for emergency withdrawals are: Big Hill, Elk City, Council Grove, John Redmond, Marion, Fall River, Toronto, Clinton, Hillsdale, Melvern, Milford, Kanopolis, Perry, Pomona, Wilson, and Tuttle Creek. One contract for domestic use is in place from Perry Reservoir. And three for livestock from Pomona Reservoir. Other Livestock Water Assistance Livestock water may be available for purchase through a public water supplier. Producers should contact nearby rural water district or community to determine if bulk water is available for hauling. In lakes where all state owned water is not under long term contract, and surplus has been identified annual contracts are available for one year contract. Contracts from reservoir surplus in 2012 include: Council Grove three irrigation; Kanopolis one irrigation and other; Marion one industrial, three irrigation; Melvern two livestock: Elk City one irrigation. The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Conservation, approved the use of $500,000 of fiscal year 2012 costshare funding to provide immediate assistance to livestock producers in drought-stricken Kansas. Producers will have 45- days to sign-up for the cost-share assistance initiative and will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 per project and up to $4,000 per landowner. Projects will be considered and approved on a first-come, first-served basis. KDA s Division of Conservation will collect applications submitted by county conservation districts and then process and approve individual contracts. Pastures that currently have limited or no existing water supplies are the primary targets for this initiative. 9

10 Livestock producers with existing ponds who are requesting cost-share assistance must meet specific criteria to be eligible. Surface Water Supply Conditions The Kansas Water Office issued a water watch on July 6, 2012 for those that obtain water out of certain federal reservoirs. Water Marketing customers obtaining water from Clinton Lake, Hillsdale Lake, Melvern Lake, Pomona Lake, Council Grove Lake, Marion Reservoir, Big Hill Lake, Elk City Reservoir, and Kanopolis Reservoir are to initiate actions under Water Watch (Stage 1) in their water conservation plan. In addition, members of Assurance Districts on the Kansas, and Marais des Cygnes rivers are to be in a Water Watch (Stage 1). A Water Watch usually includes monitoring the supply closely, educating the public, encouraging efficient water use and curtailing (voluntary) some outdoor water use. A water warning was issued for the Cottonwood/Neosho River Assurance District initiating Stage 2 conservation measures. Kansas River basin: Releases from storage in Perry, Tuttle, and Milford are supporting target flows of the Kansas River Water Assurance District at Topeka (750cfs) and DeSoto (1,000cfs). Releases are more than twice the amount of inflow. All three reservoirs are low due to drought and releases made by the Corps of Engineers to support navigation on the Missouri River. Marais des Cygnes basin: Hillsdale, Melvern, and Pomona reservoirs no longer have inflow and are all below multipurpose pool elevation. Hillsdale is approximately 2.1 feet down, the lowest of the three, but Melvern and Pomona are providing the majority of the flow in the Marais des Cygnes River. Municipal and industrial water demands are being supported by Water Assurance District releases. Cottonwood / Neosho basin: Water supply releases from Council Grove have been ongoing for the City of Emporia since May 24th. There is zero natural flow in the upper Neosho basin and streamflow is being supported by Council Grove water quality. John Redmond is now releasing from water quality and water supply storage to support downstream flows and demand. Water supply releases for Wolf Creek nuclear power plant are ongoing. Water supply is diverted directly from Marion Lake and minimum releases are supported by water quality storage. All lakes are below normal pool levels and significant lake level declines are anticipated, particularly in John Redmond. Verdigris basin: Toronto, Fall River, and Elk City reservoirs are all below conservation pool elevation and releases are supporting minimum target flows and water demands. Inflow to all Verdigris basin lakes is zero. Smoky Hill basin: There is zero to very little flow between Cedar Bluff and Kanopolis. Kanopolis is approximately 2.6 feet below the top of conservation pool and inflow is close to zero. Water quality and water supply releases are supporting water demands past Salina. This reach of the river is experiencing heavy depletions. 10

11 General Reservoir Conditions Kansas Federal Reservoir Conservation Pool Levels Reservoir Top of Multipurpose/Conservation Pool (Feet MSL) Multipurpose/Conservation Pool Elevation (Feet MSL) Change from Top of Pool (Feet) Kansas River Basin 8/9/12 Norton Harlan County, NE Lovewell Milford Cedar Bluff Kanopolis Wilson Webster Kirwin Waconda Tuttle Creek Perry Clinton Melvern Pomona Hillsdale Arkansas River Basin 8/10/12 Cheney El Dorado Toronto Fall River Elk City Big Hill Council Grove Marion John Redmond Lake level management plan in place Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 11

12 Lakes and Blue-green Algae Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a Public Health Advisory or Public Health Warning for some lakes in Kansas. These notification levels are determined by the concentration of a harmful toxin(s) or the concentration of cyanobacteria (commonly referred to as blue green algae) cell counts. High nutrient and light levels and warm water temperature are believed to contribute to algae blooms. These began May 17, 2012 for five lakes, with additions, removals and status changes occurring each week. Lakes bolded in the table below are new to the list since the last drought report. Warning Status indicates high levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected. A Public Health Warning indicates that water conditions are unsafe and direct water contact (wading, skiing, and swimming) is prohibited. Advisory Status indicates harmful blue-green algae have been detected. A Public Health Advisory indicates that a hazardous condition exists. Water activities like boating and fishing may be safe; however, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock. Kansas Public Waters Currently Under Considered Unsafe (8/09/12) Water Body County Initial Advisory Date Initial Warning Date Antioch Park Lake Johnson August 9, 2012 Atchison County Park Lake Atchison July 20, 2012 Brown County Fishing Lake Brown July 13, 2012 Centralia Lake Nemaha July 20, 2012 Chisholm Creek Park lake North Sedgwick August 9, 2012 July 20, 2012 Deanna Rose Farmstead Johnson July 26, 2012 Harvey County East Lake Harvey July 20, 2012 Harvey County West Lake Harvey August 2, 2012 Logan City Lake Phillips May 24, 2012 June 22, 2012 McPherson County State Fishing Lake McPherson August 2, 2012 Memorial/Veterans Lake Barton May 17, 2012 Riggs Park Lake Sedgwick August 2, 2012 South Lake Park Johnson May 31, 2012 July 26, 2012 Streamflow Conditions The comparison of streamflow for August 9, 2012 for the day of the year is shown on the map below. Recent flow is compared to the historical streamflow in Kansas for the past 45 days on the USGS graph. Both indicate below normal streamflows. USGS seven day average stream flow compared to normal flow values recorded for the day of the year during all years measurements have been collected. In general, a streamflow which is greater than the 75 percentile is considered above normal, a streamflow which is between 25 and 75 percentiles is considered normal and a streamflow which is less than the 25 percentile is considered below normal. Color codes are for basins with streamflow averages less than 25 percent of historic values. Historical Stream Flow Compared to Year 12

13 Water Right Administration/Minimum Desirable Streamflow (MDS) Minimum Desirable Streamflow (MDS) administration is in effect for about 541 water right files. MDS administration requires water rights junior to MDS, usually with priority dates after April 12, 1984, to stop diverting water. Administration is ordered when streamflow drops below MDS for more than seven days. Streamflows in Cubic Feet per Second (cfs) August Administration Number of Map Gaging Station August 9, 2012 MDS Date Rights Admin. Location Republican River at Concordia Republican River at Clay Center /2/ Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth /17/ Saline River near Russell 1 2 5/25/ Chapman Creek near Chapman /26/ Big Blue River at Marysville /19/ Little Blue River near Barnes /3/ Mill Creek near Paxico 4 5 6/14/ Delaware River near Muscotah 3 3 8/3/ Little Arkansas River at Alta Mills 1 8 5/18/ Little Arkansas River at Valley Center /31/ North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney 1 No surface diversions 5 above gage South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt 2 No surface diversions 5 above gage South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock Ninnescah River near Peck /26/ Whitewater River near Towanda 2 5 5/31/ Walnut River at Winfield /27/ Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa Dry 1 5/1/ Chikaskia River above Corbin 1 5 7/13/ Neosho River near Iola Neosho River near Parsons /12/ Spring River above Baxter Springs/near Quapaw,OK /25/

14 Burn Bans and Fires Critical Fire Conditions are issued by NOAA daily. Portions of Kansas have been included in these on a daily basis in recent weeks. Below is the current list of burn bans as reported to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management from county emergency managers as of August 10, Current County Burn Bans: Anderson, Allen, Atchison, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Ford, Franklin, Gove, Graham, Grant, Greenwood, Hamilton, Hodgeman, Jackson, Johnson, Kearny, Labette, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Miami, Montgomery, Morton, Neosho, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Trego, Washington, Woodson, and Wyandotte Counties Stafford County has instituted a strong restrictions burn ban, which means burning is only allowed if a site visit has been conducted by the fire department and the site is deemed safe for burning beyond a reasonable doubt. Current City Burn Bans: Gardner, Howard, Leawood, Lenexa, Merriam, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, and Spring Hill Burn Permit System: Counties: Butler, Dickinson (permits issued by township, no permits currently being issued), Geary, Jewell, Kiowa, Leavenworth, Marshall, Riley, Saline, Wyandotte and Wabaunsee Cities: Bonner Springs and Edwardsville (no permits being issued) A map of burn bans is available at Kansas Vegetative Conditions The GreenReport maps better reflect actual vegetative conditions. Areas of dark green on the map indicate good condition of vegetation. Areas in yellow, orange and red indicate vegetative condition is not good, related to the dry conditions in these areas. Crops, Feed and Livestock USDA Crop Progress and Condition weekly reports provide some indication of the climatic effects on soil, feed supplies and crops. The week ending August 6, topsoil moisture supplies increased slightly to 69 percent very short, 25 percent short, 6 percent adequate, and none as surplus. Kansas subsoil moisture supplies remained steady at 67 percent very short, 28 percent short, 5 percent adequate and none as surplus. ublications/crop_progress_and_condition/current.pdf The week ending August 6, USDA Crop Progress and Condition report rated range and pasture conditions continued to decline and were rated at 60 percent very poor, 29 percent poor, 10 percent fair, and only 1 percent good. Hay and forage supplies declined to 35 percent very short, 37 percent short, and 27 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Kansas stock water supplies declined sharply in the hot, dry weather to 40 percent very short, 32 percent short, and 28 percent adequate. 14

15 Kansas producers are continuing to thin herds and pull cattle off pastures early and are having to haul water to remaining herds. The condition of the corn crop declined to 37 percent very poor, 32 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 8 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. The condition of the soybean crop also declined to 31 percent very poor, 36 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 5 percent good, and 1 percent as excellent. The condition of the sorghum crop declined to 24 percent very poor, 32 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 8 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. This is now the worst soybean condition since the current data series began in The Climate Prediction Center (CPC), soil moisture outlook map is more generalized but also indicates soil moisture is expected to be below normal in Kansas at least through September. Anomalies are defined as deviations from the monthly climatology. Emergency Haying and Grazing Farm Service Agency (FSA) can authorize emergency haying and grazing and other federal program aid for livestock feed. Emergency authorization is provided by either a national FSA office authorization based on documentation of 40 percent or greater loss in normal hay or pasture production, or by a state FSA committee determination utilizing the U.S. Drought Monitor designation of D2 Drought Severe or D3 Drought Extreme. Under National FSA authorization, acreage will be authorized for a specified time. State committee authorization for emergency haying is for a single period up to 60 days, and for up to 120 days for emergency grazing. Emergency Haying and Grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in 104 Kansas Counties Emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage was authorized in 104 Kansas Counties. The only county without authorization is Marshall, which has not requested to be authorized. Emergency haying in approved counties is allowed through August 15, Participants must leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous fields un-hayed for wildlife. Hay must be removed from the field within 30 days from end of the haying period. Hay cannot be sold. Producers without livestock may rent or lease the haying privileges. Emergency grazing in approved counties is allowed through September 30, Participants shall leave at least 25 percent of each field or contiguous CRP fields un-grazed for wildlife, or graze not more than 75 percent of the stocking rate. All livestock must be removed by the end of this grazing period. Producers without livestock may rent or lease the grazing privileges. The USDA Secretary of Agriculture announced on July 11, 2012, the payment reduction cost for Emergency haying and grazing has been reduced from 25 percent of the rental payment per acre to 10 percent for the 2012 year. Emergency haying and grazing is not allowed on the same acreage, and any other approved CRP haying or grazing is not allowed on the same acreage. Practices eligible are CP-1, Establishment of Permanent Introduced Grasses & Legumes, CP-2, Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses, CP4B, Permanent Wildlife Habitat (Corridors), Noneasement, CP4D, Permanent Wildlife Habitat Noneasement, CP10, Vegetative Cover-Grass Already Established, CP18B, Establishment of Permanent Vegetative Cover (Contour Grass Strips), Noneasement, CP18C, Establishment of Permanent Salt Tolerant Vegetative Cover, Non-easement, CP38E, SAFE. Kansas has also been authorized to permit emergency grazing on practice CP-25, Rare and Declining Habitat as of August 2 for all Kansas Counties. Emergency haying is allowed through August 31, No extensions will be approved under this special authority. Haying will not be permitted within 120 feet of a stream or other permanent water body. Haying is limited to one cutting. Participants shall leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous CRP fields unhayed for wildlife. CRP participants can sell, donate, barter, or otherwise exchange hay. The haying privilege may not be subleased. As with other haying and grazing on CRP acres, participants must contact the local FSA county office to request emergency haying or grazing on an individual contract basis prior to haying or grazing. If the CRP cover is destroyed, the 15

16 practice must be re-established at their own expense to remain in compliance with the CRP contract. Participants accept a 10 percent reduction in the annual rental payment for the acres actually hayed or grazed in CRP haying and grazing policies will be posted on-line at Managed Haying and Grazing Managed haying and grazing is authorized no more frequently than one out of every three years after the CRP cover is fully established. Managed haying and grazing may be available less frequently in a particular area depending upon local conditions, resource capacity, and the conservation goals of the program. Also, acreage either hayed or grazed under managed or emergency provisions in either of the previous two years is ineligible for managed haying or grazing in the current year. Managed haying is authorized for a single period up to 90 days. Managed grazing is authorized for a single period up to 120 days or for two 60-day periods. CRP participants requesting managed haying and grazing must file a request with their local FSA office indicating the acreage to be hayed or grazed before the activity begins. A 25 percent payment reduction and limitation to a single period of 90 days are some terms of the authorization. USDA Risk Management Agency provides information on crop insurance and drought damaged crops can be found at Future Outlook The latest Drought Outlook indicates drought conditions are expected to continue through October. Some widely-scattered relief may come in the form of cold front passages or organized thunderstorm clusters (MCSs), but widespread relief is not expected. 16

17 The La Niña has ended and conditions favor the development of an El Niño by Fall. For August drier than normal conditions are expected state-wide. Temperatures are expected to continue above average. The short term (6-10 day) and monthly probability outlooks for precipitation and temperatures are provided below. Additional outlooks for additional timeframes are available from the national Climate Prediction Center (CPC) for up to 13 months. ( ) The Kansas Weekly Climate Summary and Drought Report is compiled at least monthly, more frequently when conditions warrant, by the Kansas Water Office. Information from various federal, state, local and academic sources is used. Some of the data is preliminary and subject to change once final data is available. The Kansas Water Office web site, KWO Drought, contains additional drought information including links to other agencies with drought information and past issues of the Kansas Climate Summary and Drought Report. Kansas State Climatologist, Mary Knapp, is the primary source of the narrative on weather. She works closely with meteorologists throughout the state and region. Details of current conditions at Evapotranspiration (ET) and Mesonet sites across Kansas are available at 17

18 RESOURCES and ACTIVITIES The U.S. Drought Monitor, from the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, provides a big picture perspective of conditions across the nation. In the Kansas county drought stage scheme, a Drought Watch equates roughly to moderate drought in the U.S. Drought Monitor, while a Drought Warning is the equivalent of severe drought. A Drought Emergency is reserved for extreme or exceptional drought. Palmer Drought Severity Index - The Palmer Index (PDSI) is one indicator used in the U.S. Drought Monitor. The High Plains Regional Climate Center provides precipitation and temperature summary maps. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Drought Watch provides information on 7-day average streamflow measured at long-term gaging stations and compares them to normal flows. The Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Water Resources monitors stream flow using the USGS gages for determination of administrative needs. Administration may be needed due to Minimum Desirable Streamflow (MDS) requirements, impairments, and reservoir release protection. The water levels of the federal lakes fluctuate during a year according to the management plan. Lake level Management plans are posted on the Kansas Water Office web site The Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program (KARS) at the University of Kansas produces a Kansas Green Report each week during the growing season. For a full set of national and regional GreenReport maps, go to: This Kansas Vegetation Drought Response Index map is developed weekly by the Kansas Biological Survey using state drought triggers as its key. In addition the Vegetation Drought Response Index, by the National Drought Mitigation Center provides another a national perspective on vegetation conditions. VegDRI maps may be found at The National Weather Service (NWS) provides fire weather products and services for Kansas that include the Rangeland Fire Danger Index, Fire Weather Forecasts, Red Flag Watches/Warnings, and Spot Forecasts. The five NWS offices that serve Kansas websites may be accessed from the NWS Offices page. The Seasonal Drought Outlook, developed by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (NOAA CPC), assesses the likelihood for improvement, persistence or deterioration in drought conditions for areas currently experiencing drought as identified by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Also see: Responding to Drought: A Guide for City, County and Water System Officials provides an overview of Kansas county drought stage declarations, local planning and coordination, disaster declarations, and available state and federal assistance. The 2007 Municipal Water Conservation Plan Guidelines and the Drought Vulnerability Assessment Report, both by Kansas Water Office, provide guidance regarding drought preparedness and response. USDA has programs for agricultural producers and businesses for drought affected areas. In some cases a eligibility is dependent on a federal disaster declaration but other programs are triggered by specific conditions. Please contact Diane Coe at the Kansas Water Office (785) or diane.coe@kwo.ks.gov should you have any questions or suggestions. 18