Drought in New Mexico, October 1 to 15, 2000

Drought conditions eased somewhat across the region as some unusual tropical moisture allowed soaking rains to develop during the first half of October. Clovis and eastern New Mexico broke a 69 day dry spell with four days of rain during the first week of October. A number of stations, including Albuquerque, reported monthly rain already 120 to 150 percent above normal which was welcome where roughly 70 percent of the state was in severe to extreme drought. Rain came too late to benefit summer crops, but raised fall grazing prospects. Some cattle were lost to Prussic acid poisoning in Roosevelt County where livestock were allowed to graze the fresh growth of sorghum pastures. Santa Fe saw a boost in its municipal water supplies but reservoirs remained near an all time low at 18 percent of capacity.