http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Texas is struggling with drought and wildfires, crop failures and limited water supplies as average rainfall was less than 10 inches since September, according to the state climatologist. More than 400,000 acres have been consumed by fire since the start of the year—more than seven times as many acres as the same time last year, but still less than in 2011. Of Texas’ 254 counties, 131 have burn bans. At least 15 water utilities, mostly in the Hill Country, have issued mandatory water use restrictions, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Some reservoirs in the western half of the state are stressed. Statewide, reservoirs were 79% full as of May 20, down from the typical storage of 85% for this time of year. Groundwater is beginning to decline also. The Edwards Aquifer, providing water in the San Antonio area, is nearly 20 feet below normal levels. Soil moisture is so low in much of the state that crops have failed or will be much smaller than usual, despite recent rain. More than 200 Texas counties have already received crop disaster designations. At least 40% of the Panhandle wheat crop will likely fail, stated a regional agronomist for Texas A&M AgriLife in Amarillo. The Texas Tribune (Austin), May 25, 2022