Drought in Indiana, August 1 to 31, 1999

After one of the wettest Junes on record, the rest of the summer was very dry. By the end of August, Southwest Indiana was in a moderate drought, according to the Palmer Drought Index. Total rainfall at Evansville from July 1 through the end of August was around 2.5 inches, which is less than one third of the normal rainfall. Effects on crop yields were mild. The greatest effect was on soybeans, which mature relatively late. The corn crop fared relatively well, mainly due to heavy spring rains, which allowed it to mature before the drought set in. In those areas where drinking water supplies were taken from the Ohio River, a degradation in water quality occurred. This degradation was due to nearly stagnant river flows, which contributed to algae buildups that gave the water a poor taste and appearance. The dry weather raised fire danger into the high category at times. A number of brush and field fires occurred, including one near the junction of Interstate 64 and U.S. 41. A couple of bean and corn field fires scorched 5 to 10 acres each.