JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 14, 2018 - The U.S. Drought Monitor map was updated yesterday and is on the department’s Drought website at https://dnr.mo.gov/drought.htm.
Dry to exceptionally dry conditions continue to exist in Missouri. Thirty counties are in D2 or greater status, down from 46 counties last week. Three counties remain in D4 status. Twelve counties are in D3 status, down from 19 last week. Fifteen counties are in D2 status, a decrease from 24 last week. Forty-one 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, Cole, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Livingston, Moniteau and Nodaway counties
D2 conditions exist in portions of Buchanan, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clinton, Cooper, Harrison, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Macon, Ray, Sullivan and Worth counties.
Counties no longer in D2 or greater status include Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Benton, Cedar, Christian, Clark, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Holt, Jasper, Knox, Laclede, Lawrence, Lewis, Maries, McDonald, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Pettis, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright counties.
Yesterday, the department awarded almost $1 million to help eight community water systems in northwest Missouri counties hardest hit by drought. Funding will help communities maintain adequate drinking water supplies for their citizens. Read the news release online at bit.ly/2MrWs5P.
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. Locate water hauling access areas and contact information for individual sites online at https://dnr.mo.gov/droughtresources.htm.
A 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 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).