Drought in Maryland, August 1 to 31, 1999

High pressure was the dominant weather feature across Maryland through the 24th of August. Most rain producing storm systems steered north of the region through the period. This resulted in the continuation of the climatological, meteorological, and hydrological drought which has plagued the area since last summer. Heavy rain fell over all but Western Maryland between the 24th and 26th, helping to fill surface reservoirs. Unfortunately, because most of the rain fell in the form of thunderstorm downpours, most of the moisture ran off into the rivers before it had the chance to seep into the aquifer supply. Groundwater reserves remained unaffected and wells and springs remained short of water. By the third week of August the Palmer Drought Index, a measure of long term drought conditions, indicated Maryland was in an extreme drought. The drought warning issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment last December remained in effect through the month. The governor issued statewide mandatory water restrictions on the 5th. From September 1998 through August 1999 precipitation was a staggering 12 to 16 inches below average. During August, 6.14 inches of rain fell at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), 2.22 inches above normal. However, 4.15 inches of this total fell from between the 24th and the 26th. The Maryland Science Center at Inner Harbor Baltimore reported 8.23 inches for the month, but 6.26 inches of this total fell between the 24th and the 26th. Andrews Air Force Base reported 5.71 inches for the month. Additional August rainfall totals included Allegany County at 2.5 inches, Washington County at 2.3 inches, Frederick County at 3.1 inches, Prince Georges County at 5.3 inches, Carroll County at 4.7 inches, Anne Arundel at 6.6 inches, Northern Baltimore County at 5.4 inches, Howard County at 4.3 inches, Montgomery County at 4.6 inches, Charles and Calvert Counties at 5.5 inches, and St. Mary's County at 5.8 inches. The lack of rainfall through the third week of August continued to affect water levels along the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Some of the lowest freshwater flows into the Chesapeake Bay were recorded during the month. Some of the worst fish kills in recent memory occurred in the bay and on nearby tributaries. Other forms of wildlife had to adapt to the altered bay environment. Crabs were seen several miles farther upstream in freshwater tributaries, the oyster population was weakened, and bottlenose dolphins were spotted as far north as Pooles Island. Most rivers and streams across the state were running at 30% the normal level. The flow of water in the Potomac River past Washington D.C. during the middle of August was only 11% of the long term monthly average. Water was released from the Jennings Randolph Reservoir in the headwaters of the Potomac River on the 11th to boost water levels, leaving the reservoir at 78% of capacity. The Monocasy River was running at half its normal level. Liberty Reservoir, one of the main water sources for 1.8 million people in the Baltimore area, was 24 feet below normal and was holding less than half of its 43 billion gallon capacity during the first week of August. To increase the amount of water reserves, Baltimore began withdrawing up to 137 million gallons of water from the Susquhanna River, which was already at a historic low level. In Carroll County, the Westminster city reservoir was down to 65% of capacity on the 18th. The U.S. Army water treatment plant, serving Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County was forced to shut down on the 13th after less than 16 cubic feet of water flowed down Winters Run. Piney Dam, Frostburg's main water supply, was 8 inches below normal pool. Cumberland's two reservoirs, Lake Koon and Lake Gordon were down 4 feet and 1 foot respectively. The Mount Savage reservoir was down 3 feet and officials had to shore up its supply by hauling 38 tanker trucks of water. During the first week of August, the USGS reported ground water levels in Central Maryland were 16 feet below the surface, just under the minimum level. Washington County reported the lowest groundwater levels in history on the 4th. Wells on 24 county farms dried up by the 10th. Nearly 60 communities across the state instituted mandatory or voluntary water restrictions. Nineteen Maryland counties were declared federal drought disaster areas on the 11th. The worst agricultural drought in Maryland continued to devastate farmers. 55% of pasture land, 45% of corn, 39% of sorghum, 29% of tobacco, and 34% of soybeans across the state were reported in poor or very poor condition by month's end. 42% of topsoil and 84% of subsoil were reported as short or very short of moisture. Frederick County expected to lose 90% of their corn and soybean crop, and $9 million in lost revenues. Montgomery County expected a 50% loss of soybean and sweet corn and a 60% loss of hay and corn for a loss of $11 million. Washington County reported a corn crop loss of 60% and $10 million in lost revenue. St. Mary's County reported a 60% loss of corn and soybean crops. Calvert County farmers reported 30% losses in corn, soybeans, and hay. Statewide, crop losses were expected to exceed $100 million. In addition to agricultural lands, forests and rural vegetation were also dangerously dry. The Maryland DNR responded to 600 fires that burned over 2500 acres from January to July, a 100% increase from the previous year. The Cumulative Severity Index (CSI), a measure of fire danger which ranges from 1 to 800, ranged from 503 in Allegany County to 629 in Prince Georges County on August 12th.