JEFFERSON CITY, MO, AUG. 30, 2018 - The U.S. Drought Monitor map was updated today and is on the department’s Drought website at https://dnr.mo.gov/drought.htm.
Dry to exceptionally dry conditions continue to be widespread in Missouri. Seventy counties are in D2 or greater status, down from 71 counties last week. Twenty-two counties remain in D4 status, down from 24 counties last week. Exceptional drought conditions encompass 3.99 percent of the state. Twelve counties are in D3 status, a decrease from 19 counties last week. Thirty-six counties are in D2 status. This is an increase from 28 counties last week.
D4 conditions continue in all of Caldwell County. Portions of Andrew, Boone, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Howard, Jackson, Linn, Livingston, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, Saline and Sullivan counties are experiencing D4 conditions.
D3 conditions exist in Adair, Callaway, Clark, Cole, Macon, Mercer, Moniteau, Putnam, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland and Worth counties.
D2 conditions exist in Audrain, Barry, Barton, Benton, Buchanan, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Date, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Holt, Jasper, Johnson, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lewis, Maries, McDonald, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Pettis, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright counties.
In response to drought conditions in Missouri, Governor Parson made emergency water access available for family farms at 28 Department of Conservation areas and five Department of Natural Resources state parks. Read more and locate water hauling access areas and contact information for individual sites online at https://dnr.mo.gov/droughtresources.htm. Additional information about agriculture and drinking water assistance and resources is available on the website.
A new map is available that provides drought condition reports and photos that were submitted by citizens. The Experimental Missouri Drought Conditions & Impacts Map is online at http://arcg.is/0Xrvy4.
A photo gallery, organized in folders by county, also is available online at https://bit.ly/2MHHjlS.
Reports and photos are essential tools used in the assessment of drought conditions. As drought conditions continue, citizens are strongly encouraged to report livestock stress, crop damage and low water in ponds and streams by submitting information using the Missouri Extension Drought Impact Reporter online at https://bit.ly/2OdCcHd. Information will be used to assess conditions in each county and to inform drought maps provided by U.S. Drought Monitor for Missouri (https://bit.ly/2C2nm4j).