Potential Impacts
No two states experience the same set of impacts during a drought.We developed tables of impacts reported during past droughts in each state for each level of drought on the U.S.Drought Monitor.These state - specific possible impacts complement the general, national possible impacts column of the U.S.Drought Monitor Classification Scheme.
To see or report current drought impacts, please visit the Drought Impacts Toolkit, where you can find impacts from media in the Drought Impact Reporter, and from citizen scientists and other volunteer observers under Condition Monitoring Observations.
How well does this table describe drought impacts in your state for each level of drought on the U.S.Drought Monitor ? Is anything missing ? Please fill out this survey to help improve the table.To submit observations about current drought conditions, please submit a Condition Monitoring Observer Report.
| Category | Impact |
|---|
| D0 | Dryland crops and rangeland are stressed |
| Lawns are brown; gardens are watered more frequently |
| D1 | Crop growth is stunted; supplemental feed for livestock begins |
| Blue-green algae blooms appear |
| Creek and pond levels are low |
| D2 | Corn and soybeans are in poor condition; irrigation increases; hay and crop yields are low |
| Wildlife encroach on urban areas for water |
| Lawns go dormant |
| County-level burn bans are implemented; brush fires occur more frequently |
| Creeks, ponds and wetlands are dry; lake levels drop; well levels are low; water restrictions begin |
| D3 | Corn is a total loss with no ears; corn is cut for feed; soybeans are severely dry; supplemental hay for livestock is increased; other row crops are impacted |
| Farmers’ markets are curtailed or canceled |
| Fireworks are banned; fire departments are strained |
| Gardening businesses struggle |
| Trees and shrubs show drought stress or are dying; deer disease increases; fish kills occur; vegetation is dying |
| Lake and reservoir levels are very low |
| D4 | Farmers sell cattle; feed costs are high; producers haul hay from outside of the state |
| Communities and businesses tied to water activities and agriculture experience economic losses |
| Water restrictions are implemented statewide; water shortage warnings are issued statewide |