JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 7, 2018 - The U.S. Drought Monitor map was updated yesterday and is on the department’s Drought website at https://dnr.mo.gov/water/hows-water/state-water/drought.
Dry to exceptionally dry conditions continue to exist in Missouri. Forty-six counties are in D2 or greater status, down from 70 counties last week. Three counties remain in D4 status, down from 22 last week. Nineteen counties remain in D3 status, an increase from 12 counties last week. Twenty-four counties are in D2 status, a decrease from 36 last week. Twenty-five counties no longer are in D2 or greater status.
D4 conditions continue in portions of Clay, Jackson and Platte counties.
D3 conditions exist in portions of Andrew, Boone, Caldwell, Callaway, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Howard, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Moniteau, Nodaway and Sullivan counties.
D2 conditions exist in portions of Adair, Benton, Buchanan, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Clinton, Dallas, Greene, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Mercer, Morgan, Pettis, Polk, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Webster and Worth counties.
Counties no longer in D2 or greater status include Audrain, Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Douglas, Hickory, Holt, Jasper, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis, Maries, McDonald, Monroe, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski, Shelby, St. Clair, Stone, Taney 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/water/hows-water/state-water/drought. Additional information about agriculture and drinking water assistance and resources is available on the website.
A map is available that provides drought condition reports and photos that were submitted by citizens. A "Pictures" tab was added for easily locating reports that contain photos. The Experimental Missouri Drought Conditions & Impacts Map is online at http://unl5.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=0b47ad5785b4405385dbf120dd1fff9d.
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).
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