http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Signs of water stress have expanded and increased in severity. We have had exactly 0.5 inches of rain over the past two weeks accompanied by daily temperatures well above 90 degrees. As a result we are experiencing expanded yellowing of leaves and leaf drop from the birches and the poplars are now showing leaf yellowing and leaf drop. Most garden plants are showing signs of stress, leaves on the day lilies are almost completely brown. Even the maple trees are showing leaf curling. The lawn has not needed mowing for 4 weeks now and some places are showing brown grass. Water in the stream and pond are down more than 8 inches below normal. The stagnant water is still clear but there is no flow out of the pond. We have seen multiple deer wandering around in our yard in the middle of the day as food is apparently becoming more scarce. We had a small green heron fishing in shallow water in the pond. A soil sample from the surface to a 2-inch depth showed a Volumetric Water Content of 18.37%, which is the second lowest since sampling began over a year ago. A sample from the 7- to 9-inch depth showed a VWC of 12.22%. This reading is also among the lowest we have measured. The soil feels different from normal and does not contain enough moisture to stick to the fingers. CoCoRaHS Report from Station #Holly Springs 1.1 ESE on 7/15/2017