Potential Impacts
The state table below highlights common impacts reported in the state. For more impact details, please visit the Drought Impact Reporter.
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| Category | Impact |
|---|
| D0 | Crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed |
| Fire danger is elevated; spring fire season starts early |
| Lawns brown early; gardens begin to wilt |
| Surface water levels decline |
| D1 | Irrigation use increases; hay and grain yields are lower than normal |
| Honey production declines |
| Wildfires and ground fires increase |
| Trees and landscaping are stressed; fish are stressed |
| Voluntary water conservation is requested; reservoir and lake levels are below normal capacity |
| D2 | Specialty crops are impacted in both yield and fruit size |
| Producers begin feeding cattle; hay prices are high |
| Warnings are issued on outdoor burns; air quality is poor |
| Golf courses conserve water |
| Trees are brittle and susceptible to insects |
| Fish kills occur; wildlife move to farms for food |
| Water quality is poor; groundwater is declining; irrigation ponds are dry; outdoor water restrictions are implemented |
| D3 | Crop loss is widespread; Christmas tree farms are stressed; dairy farmers are struggling financially |
| Well drillers and bulk water haulers see increased business |
| Water recreation and hunting are modified; wildlife disease outbreak is observed |
| Extremely reduced flow to ceased flow of water is observed; river temperatures are warm; wells are running dry; people are digging more and deeper wells |
| D4 | Maryland has had little or no experience in D4 so no impacts have been recorded at that level in the Drought Impact Reporter |