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 | Crops are stressed (wheat, canola, alfalfa, pecans); winter wheat germination is delayed |
| Stock pond levels decline |
| D1 | Summer crop and forage yields are reduced |
| Wildfire risk increases |
| Lake recreation activities are affected; deer reproduction is poor |
| Seasonal creek and rainfed pond levels are lowering |
| D2 | Dryland crops are severely reduced; pasture growth is stunted |
| Cattle are stressed |
| Burn bans begin |
| Trees show significant wilting |
| Springfed ponds are slow to refill |
| D3 | Grasses are dormant and hay is nonexistent; planting is delayed; fields are spotty; emergency CRP grazing is authorized |
| Cattle have little water and feed |
| Wildfires are increasing in number and severity |
| Fishing is down; boating is hazardous with low lake levels; game bird populations decline |
| Air quality is poor, with dust storms and smoke |
| Lakes are critically low; producers are hauling water for cattle; wells are drying |
| D4 | Ground is cracking; farmers are bailing failed crops or abandoning fields; pastures are bare; land is abandoned |
| Cost of hay and water is high and supplies are scarce; producers are liquidating herds |
| Burn restrictions increase |
| Fire season is long; rural fire departments are running out of finances |
| Ranchers and farmers are desperate and experiencing huge economic loss |
| Water lines are breaking; reservoir levels are nearing intake; mandatory water restrictions are implemented; water quality is poor |