Drought in Alabama, May 1 to 31, 2007

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.

May became the month that plunged the area into a historic drought situation. The D3 status (Extreme Drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor was retained for the entire month.

Area rivers remained at baseflow, and some reached historically low |streamflows, the lowest recorded for this time of year in more than |50 years. Farm ponds experienced lowered levels as well. Some |smaller creeks which typically would have water in them after a wet |Spring are reported to be dry.

Lake levels on the Bear Creek lakes in northwest Alabama were well |below normal. Smith Lake was at its lowest for this time of year in more than forty years, well below average. Soil moisture was at historic lows, at the first percentile or below. Hay cutting ran behind and at a lower production rate. Non-irrigated corn in some areas was believed to be a complete loss. Overall yields were reduced and the dry conditions caused even further reductions in the expected yields. Local extension agents rated the corn and wheat crops as poor to very poor. Extension agents also reported that cotton and soybeans were stressed due to lack of soil moisture. Pasturelands produced very low yields of hay due to lack of growth, thus farmers have been forced to reduce cattle herds.

Drought emergencies were issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, meaning that prolonged drought conditions were creating a situation where the probability of catastrophic fire activity was high.