Drought in Virginia, September 1 to 30, 1999

Rainfall from two land falling hurricanes made a tremendous impact on the drought that plagued the region since the summer of 1998. Across Northern Virginia, the greatest amount of rain fell north of a line from Staunton to Fredericksburg. The water shortage came to an end in this area by mid month. Locations to the south recorded a major increase in water supplies, upgrading their condition from an extreme drought to a mild drought, but not enough rain fell to completely wipe out the shortage. Washington Reagan National Airport in Arlington reported a rainfall total of 10.27 inches for September, 6.96 inches above normal. It was the 4th wettest September on record. Dulles International Airport received 9.32 inches of rain, 5.96 inches above normal. Other monthly rainfall totals included Rappahannock County at 14.8 inches, Clarke County at 13.0 inches, Page County at 12.8 inches, Warren County at 12.5 inches, Culpeper County at 11.9 inches, Greene County at 11.3 inches, Fauquier County at 11.0 inches, Spotsylvania County at 10.0 inches, Loudoun County at 9.9 inches, Fairfax County at 9.7 inches, Orange County at 9.4 inches, Shenandoah County at 9.1 inches, Augusta County at 9.0 inches, Frederick County at 8.3 inches, Prince William County at 7.7 inches, Rockingham County at 7.5 inches, and Albemarle County at 7.0 inches. The much needed rainfall affected rivers and water reservoirs dramatically. In Shenandoah County, 30 ponds that went dry during the past 12 months were rejuvenated by the 8th. Orange County lifted its water restrictions on the 10th. The Ni River Reservoir returned to 71% of its capacity by the end of the month, allowing officials in Spotsylvania County to lift mandatory water restrictions that were in effect for 13 months. Streamflow at Goose Creek in Loudoun County increased from 3.8 million gallons during the last week of August to 20 million gallons by the 8th. The South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Front Royal finally rose to a sufficient level to allow water to rush over the dam, following a several month absence. The Charlottesville urban water ring recorded a reservoir level increase from 80% to 94% of capacity by mid month. Mandatory water restrictions continued in Highland County through the end of the month. Effects of the drought still lingered in the agricultural community. Across the state by the end of the month, 27% of pasture land, 40% of corn, 16% of soybeans, and 12% of apples remained in poor or very poor condition. Rockingham County, Virginia's top agriculture county, reported 90% of the corn crop and 85% of the soybean crop were lost due to the drought. Loudoun County increased their estimate of drought crop losses from $15 to $20 million by the end of the month. The apple harvest in Nelson County yielded a crop smaller than the 2.5 inch minimum standard. Farmers had to sell the crop to apple juice suppliers instead of wholesale markets, significantly reducing profit . Statewide by the 26th, 25% of topsoil remained short or very short of moisture. In addition, harvests were made difficult by heavy rains from the tropical systems. Effects such as shortages of hay and pasture land for livestock, stunted tree growth at orchards and tree farms, and low prices for meagre harvests continued to plague farmers, even after water supplies rebounded.