Drought in Virginia, July 1 to 31, 1999

High pressure was the dominant weather feature across Northern Virginia during the month. This forced most rain producing storm systems to steer north of the region and resulted in the continuation of the climatological, meteorological, and hydrological drought that had plagued the area since last summer. This was the 2nd warmest July on record, with an average temperature of 82.9 degrees. Record highs were set on the 5th and 6th, and temperatures rose above 90 degrees on average temperature of 82.9 degrees. Record highs were set on the 5th and 6th, and temperatures rose above 90 degrees on 22 of the 31 days. By the last week of July the Palmer Drought Index, a measure of long term drought conditions, indicated Northern Virginia was in an extreme drought except for the Central Shenandoah Valley which was in a severe drought. July was the 10th month in the past 12 months that precipitation was below normal. From August 1998 through July 1999 precipitation was a staggering 10 to 16 inches below average, the 2nd driest 12 months on record. Only 2.56 inches of rain fell at Dulles Airport during the month of July, 0.93 inches below normal. Reagan National Airport in Arlington reported a monthly total of only 1.01 inches, 2.79 inches below normal. Measurable rain only fell on 8 days during the month. The 12 month period from August 1st to July 31st was the driest since record keeping began 58 years ago at the Piedmont Agricultural Research Station in Orange. Additional July rainfall totals included Frederick, Shenandoah, and Clarke County at 2.8 inches; Warren County at 2.3 inches; Rockingham County at 2.4 inches; Orange County at 2.7 inches; Highland County at 1.3 inches; Augusta County at 4.4 inches; Page County at 3.8 inches; Madison and Albemarle County at 3.0 inches; Nelson County at 3.3 inches; Culpeper County at 5.0 inches; Rappahannock County at 5.1 inches; FAuquier County at 3.4 inches; Spotsylvania County at 2.3 inches; and Loudoun County at 2.8 inches. The lack of rainfall affected water levels along the Potomac River, the main water source for extreme northern Virginia. The flow of water past Washington D.C. has been below average for the last 11 months. During July, the average daily flow of the river was only 18% of the long term average. Many upstream tributaries also reported extremely low water levels. For the first time, water was released from the Randolph and Little Seneca reservoirs near the Potomac headwaters on July 11th and 15th respectively to help maintain a safe water level for wildlife and human consumption. By July 31st, the Jennings Randolph Reservoir was 13.8% below capacity and the Little Seneca Reservoir was down 4 inches. Many stations on the Shenandoah and Rappahannock watersheds reported streamflow at or below the 90 percent exceedence, which rivaled minimum daily mean flow values of the drought of 1980-82. The Shenandoah River dropped to less than 22% of its normal flow and the water level near Strasburg was at the lowest recorded in July since records began 72 years ago. Nearby, a recreational facility at Half Moon Beach reported water levels 12 to 15 feet below normal. Happy Creek in Front Royal was nearly dry by mid month, and Holman's Creek through Southern Shenandoah County went dry west of Forestville by the end of the month. The Rappahannock River was approaching 10% of normal flow, and west of Fredericksburg was flowing with just a few feet of water. Twenty miles upstream of Fredericksburg, the river was too shallow for canoes. Boat trips were only possible on the river 4 weekends out of the past year. By the third week of July, fewer than 40% of small streams in Culpeper County continued to run. The Occoquan Reservoir, the main water source for Southern Fairfax County, was 21% below capacity by the end of the month. With such low water tables, most locations were forced to begin voluntary water restrictions. Some locations such as Loudoun County began mandatory restrictions. Many residents away from he Washington D.C. suburbs and larger cities depended on water deliveries after wells dried up. The Ni River Reservoir, main water source for Spotsylvania County, dipped 4 inches below the spillway by mid month. Lake Pelham, main water source for the town of Culpeper, was 11 inches below normal, and the Staunton Dam was down two feet. The Stephens City Quarry in Frederick County dropped 32 feet below normal during July, and amount equal to a two month supply of water. The Beaverdam Reservoir in Loudoun County was at 50% capacity, still recovering from being drained to fill Goose Creek Reservoir. This reservoir, the main water source for Loudoun and half of Fairfax County, fell to 2.5 feet below the dam by the end of the month, a level officials called dangerously low. Frederick County delcared a drought emergency on the 14th, and Clarke County made the same declaration on the 20th. The lack of precipitation was devastating for the agricultural community. Crops were dying in the fields, trees were prematurely shedding leaves in orchards, hay and pasture land were wilting, and watering holes and irrigation sources were slowly drying up. 46% of pasture land and 77% of non-alfalfa hay crops across the state were reported in poor or very poor condition. Corn that should have been 6 feet high was only waist-high at best and did not germinate. Some farmers had to reduce their herd sizes in order to stretch hay and water supplies. The Frederick County auction reported cattle sales were five times above normal. In Shenandoah County, extension agents reported 3,000 cattle had died or were sold to slaughter early during the month. Augusta County estimated drought losses at $20,000,000, with every cash crop reporting a yield loss of at least 70%. The Page County extension office reported more than half of the crops in the county were lost. Loudoun County estimated $15,000,000 in agricultural losses. Clark County expected $8,000,000 in losses, citing 75% of corn beyond recovery. Rappahannock County reported $2,500,000 in losses citing 65,000 acres of devastated pasture land. In addition to agricultural lands, forest and rural vegetation were also dangerously dry. The Virginia Department of Forestry reported a record fire season January through July, 1320 fires burning 6146 acres. This number already exceeded the amount of fires reported in 1998. During the month of July alone, 61 fires burned 280 acres. The Cumulative Severity Index, a measure of fire danger which ranges from 1 to 800, gave Northern Virginia a rating of 628 by month's end. Animal control officials also attributed an increase of wildlife entering populated areas in search of food and water to the drought.