http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Dry conditions in 2021 allowed the Missouri River in Omaha to set a record for its lowest crest on modern record on Aug. 7, according to the National Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey. Low water levels in 2021 prompted the Corps of Engineers to operate for drought conditions in July 2021 by reducing flows during navigation season and allowing minimal winter releases. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.), March 28, 2022 September precipitation and runoff were below average in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa. Runoff was 0.8 million acre-feet, 67% of the long-term average. “Releases from Gavins Point Dam will continue to be set to maintain navigation support at an intermediate service level,” according to the chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. The navigation flow support season ends on Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River. The 2021 calendar year runoff forecast for the upper Basin, which was updated on Oct. 1, is 14.8 MAF, 57% of average. Average annual runoff for the upper Basin is 25.8 MAF. If the forecast verifies, this runoff amount would be the 10th lowest runoff in 123 years of record-keeping. Nebraska City News-Press (Neb.), Oct 15, 2021 The July runoff above the Fort Peck Dam in Montana was the lowest on record, due to drought and heat, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Navigation support will be maintained at an intermediate service level of 1,500 cubic feet per second below full-service levels through the end of the normal 8-month navigation flow support season. WOWT-TV NBC 6 Omaha (Neb.), Aug 5, 2021 The Missouri River Water Management Division will reduce navigation flow support for the second half of the navigation flow support season. The service level to support navigation will be lowered 1,500 cubic feet per second from full-service levels. NewsDakota (Valley City, N.D.), July 2, 2021