Drought monitors estimate there are 764,177 people living in the areas of Maryland being affected by drought right now.
In Moderate Drought areas, including Hancock, the following conditions are seen:
–Honey production declines
–Irrigation use increases; hay and grain yields are lower than normal
–Trees and landscaping are stressed; fish are stressed
–Voluntary water conservation is requested; reservoir and lake levels are below normal capacity
–Wildfires and ground fires increase
In Severe Drought areas, the following affects are seen:
–Fish kills occur; wildlife move to farms for food
–Golf courses conserve water
–Producers begin feeding cattle; hay prices are high
–Specialty crops are impacted in both yield and fruit size
–Trees are brittle and susceptible to insects
–Warnings are issued on outdoor burns; air quality is poor
–Water quality is poor; groundwater is declining; irrigation ponds are dry; outdoor water restrictions are implemented.
The furthest westerner corner of Maryland is experiencing an Extreme Drought. Under that condition:
–Crop loss is widespread; Christmas tree farms are stressed; dairy farmers are struggling financially
–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
–Water recreation and hunting are modified; wildlife disease outbreak is observed
–Well drillers and bulk water haulers see increased business.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.