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 | Snowpack is reduced |
| Golf season is extended |
| D1 | Forage is reduced |
| Fire danger increases; fires at elevation increase |
| D2 | Summer recreation season is extended; hunting is compromised |
| Bear activity increases; wildlife encroach onto residential areas |
| Desert plants implement reproductive survival mechanisms |
| Surface water levels decline; Lake Tahoe water clarity is higher than normal |
| D3 | Alfalfa and hay yields decrease; farmers are not planting crops |
| Pasture conditions are very poor; producers are selling cattle |
| Fire activity increases; fire season is extended; firework ban is implemented |
| Excess algae growth and fish kills occur |
| Vegetation green-up is poor |
| Winter recreation is limited |
| Forage and water supplies are inadequate for wildlife; wild horse health deteriorates, leading to emergency roundup and relocation |
| Lakes and rivers are depleted; lake hazards are noted; water temperatures rise |
| Irrigation allocations are very low; water supply for farming and ranching is inadequate |
| D4 | Boat ramps close; trout fishing limits are lifted; wildlife populations decline; producers haul water for wildlife; ecosystem viability is threatened |
| Citizens reduce water use |
| Reservoir levels are extremely low; hydropower production is limited, alternative power is expensive; groundwater decreases; water allotments to farmers and ranchers are curtailed |
| Fire danger increases; restrictions are enacted earlier than usual; events are canceled |
| Wild horses/burros are relocated; BLM brings water/food to wild horses/burros |
| Bears and other wildlife encroach on human-inhabited areas |
| State stocks rivers/streams/lakes with fish earlier than usual; fish catch limits are lifted; warmer water causes fish death |
| Wildlife populations decrease and habitat is degraded |
| Hydropower plants close or reduce production |
| Boat ramps are closed; lake hazards are exposed; submerged relics and towns are exposed |
| Fewer skiers; ski-related businesses lose revenue and lay off employees |
| Conflicts over water rights increase |
| Grazing on public land is reduced and conflicts arise |
| Joshua trees are affected |