Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 2011

Lack of rainfall across the Rio Grande Plains maintained exceptional (D4) drought conditions across all of Zapata County in June. While much needed rainfall soaked into soils farther east during the last full week of the month, less than an inch fell on areas which had only received an inch for the water year (October 2010 to the present) thus far.

Heavy irrigation and high evaporation rates allowed both Falcon International Reservoir and La Amistad International Reservoir to continue falling. Falcon fell to 59 percent of capacity, only months after the pool level had been maintained slightly above 100 percent of capacity through the late winter months. Amistad, which has higher capacity and retained more water, dropped to 92 percent of capacity.

Livestock feed quality suffered, and many ranchers began selling off heads of cattle as the drought worsened. Estimated damage from the spring drought in Zapata County was [fill in here].

Lack of rainfall across the Upper Rio Grande Valley maintained Exceptional (D4) drought conditions across all of Starr County, except the extreme northeastern tip, which had Extreme (D3) drought conditions the first week of June before they, too, reached Exceptional conditions. While locations in the Lower and Mid Valley received some quenching rainfall the final week of June, totals were lower in Starr County, until the final day when between one and two inches fell in some areas.

Even after these rains, more than 10 inches were needed at Rio Grande City to make up a shortfall from what the average rainfall should be through June 30th. The hot, dry, windy weather took its toll on crops and livestock. Insured damage to dryland crops of cotton and sorghum in Starr County added up to nearly $2.2 million, about a quarter of all crop damage in the Rio Grande Valley (data from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Weslaco). Livestock loss data was not available as of this writing.

Residual moisture in the soil from rainfall between May 12th and 20th slowed the progress of drought intensification in Brooks County into early June. Extreme (D3) drought conditions prevailed across the western two-fifths of the County, with Severe (D2) drought conditions continuing across the eastern three-fifths of Brooks County through the first week in June.

Exceptional (D4) drought conditions continued across all but a sliver of eastern and southern Jim Hogg County through June (Extreme - D3 - drought conditions prevailed in these locations). Rainfall which reached the Lower Rio Grande Valley on the 22nd and 23rd failed to stretch toward the Rio Grande Plains/Brush Country. At month's end (June 30th), rainfall from outer bands of Tropical Storm Arlene dumped more than two inches across the south and east, providing some relief for July. Hebbronville, with less than an inch of rain in June, remained more than 10 inches below the average for the current water year (beginning October 1, 2010).

Dryland crop damage and livestock/ranchland impacts were heavy across the Brush Country. Many head of cattle were being sold early due to low/low quality feed supply. [Details on damage/livestock loss will be provided here].

Hidalgo County maintained a combination of Extreme (D3) to Exceptional (D4) drought conditions through June. The withering heat, wind, and low to moderate humidity finished off a number of dryland crops, and began impacting livestock/cattle herds on ranches across the north and west portions of the county as the month wore on. Exceptional drought dominated the south and west portions of the county through June 28th, with Extreme conditions elsewhere.

Torrential rains of 4 to 6 inches across the eastern half of the county on June 22 and 23 dropped conditions from Exceptional to Extreme including Weslaco, Donna, and Mercedes. The drought would be truly dented - finally - with the passage of outer bands of Tropical Storm Arlene (June 30th), seen by early July. Monthly rain totals ranged from more than 8 inches in the southeast corner of the county, to less than three inches across the far west and north. While departure from water year (beginning October 1st 2010) averages recovered to a few inches shy in Weslaco, values remained more than 10 inches below the water year average in McCook and La Joya/Mission.

Dryland crops and un-irrigated fields suffered total losses, shown best by many fields of burned/stunted corn. Irrigable crops largely grew normally, though frequent winds may have increased evaporation rates through the 21st. Hundreds of head of cattle were sold early due to dwindling/low quality feed supply. As of the end of June, total insured crop damage/loss was just under $4.4 million (cotton, corn, sorghum), roughly half of the total for the Rio Grande Valley (reported by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Weslaco).

Hot, rain free, and frequently windy conditions would return nearly all of the King Ranch (Kenedy County) to Extreme (D3) Drought conditions after the month began with the northern two thirds of the county in Severe (D2) conditions. Conditions would briefly worsen for the third week of the month before some welcome rains (2 to 4 inches) arrived on the 22nd and 23rd.

Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions covered all but the northern quarter of Cameron County through June 20th; Extreme (D3) Drought conditions continued across these areas (Combes to Arroyo City) through June 20th before moving to Exceptional to close out the month. Across the County, the withering drought torched most dryland crops, particularly un-irrigated corn. Grasslands turned brittle and brown and failed to grow (short). In all, more than $1.8 million of insured losses to cotton, corn, and sorghum was reported by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Weslaco. Ranchers may have been sold livestock, unable to provide sufficient feed. Livestock loss data was unavailable as of this writing.

Locally heavy rainfall on June 22nd and 23rd began a slow process of dialing back the drought, as 4 to nearly 6 inches fell from Brownsville to Harlingen and points west. Torrential, tropical rains from outer rain bands of Tropical Storm Arlene would put a true dent into the drought to begin July, as another 3 to 5 inches fell countywide on June 30th and July 1st.

[Damage details to dryland crops and livestock herds will be provided here].

Extreme (D3) Drought conditions continued across all of inland Willacy County through mid June, and would temporarily worsen toward month's end before drenching rains provided some relief, beginning on the 22nd and 23rd. Damage information for the 2011 Drought is provided in the entry for Exceptional (D4) Drought later in this report.

Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions covered all but the northern tip of Coastal Cameron County through June 20th; Extreme (D3) Drought conditions continued across these areas (east of Arroyo City) through June 20th before moving to Exceptional to close out the month. The withering drought impacted wildlife at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge as water supplies became limited to nil while near record heat was provided by sunny, breezy days and breezy, sultry nights with no dew.

Locally heavy rainfall on June 22nd and 23rd began a slow process of dialing back the drought, as 2 to 3 inches fell from South Padre Island to Laguna Atascosa. Torrential, tropical rains from outer rain bands of Tropical Storm Arlene would put a true dent into the drought to begin July, as 3 to 5 inches fell toward the coast from June 29th through July 1st.

[Damage/impacts to wildlife will be reported here].

Extreme (D3) Drought conditions continued across all of coastal Willacy County through mid June, and would temporarily worsen toward month's end before drenching rains provided some relief, beginning on the 22nd and 23rd.