Philip Rosenlund
University Extension Agent
Laramie County
310 West 19th
St. Suite 100
Cheyenne, WY. 82001
307 633-4383
The state drought task force was told recently that much of Wyoming is suffering from drought conditions similar to last year. Johnson and Lincoln Counties have formally asked for a disaster declaration because of drought conditions. Other counties considering drought designation are Big Horn, Carbon, Fremont, Hot Springs, Natrona, Park Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater and Campbell.
May precipitation was much below normal across most the state. The year- to- date precipitation is generally well below average for the State. Precipitation ranged form 15 to 42 percent below average, with all of the basins receiving below average moisture.
Reservoir levels vary from about 58 percent of average to 150 percent of average. Generally, the larger capacity reservoirs are above average storage and the smaller reservoirs are below average. Forecast runoff varies from 9 to 73 percent of average. The mean of all the forecast points in the State is about 55 percent of average.
Stream flow yield is expected to be below average across most of the State an well below average in the northern half of the State. The probable steam forecast for the state is about 41 percent of normal. The Northwest part of the state is expected to yield about 40 percent of normal. The Northeast will be about 26 percent of normal. The Southeast will be about 50 percent of normal. The Southwest is about 42 percent of normal
The probability for stockwater for livestock in many pastures in the State is unavailable. Many agriculture producers are facing extreme dry conditions again this year, and lack of adequate grazing for their livestock. This is two" tough" years is a row, said Ron Micheli Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. "Many times ranchers have some feed in storage for just this kind of conditions. But when we get two years in a row it tends to eliminate any feed reserves anyone may have. Many producers are shipping cattle early in Wyoming."
Irrigated crops appear to be progressing normally. Irrigation water in storage is mostly adequate except for some areas. By the end of the season water storage is expected to be much below average. Mainly because of the low winter runoff from the mountain snows this spring and high summer use.
The drought task force was told that the southeast part of the State has had adequate moisture during the Spring months, but conditions are drying out rapidly. The dry condition will have little impact on the wheat development. Some isolated areas show low hay production in Southeast Wyoming.
The Department of Environmental Quality is monitoring water quality and quantity in Fremont county because of the severity of the drought in parts of the county. Public health issues will be the target of educational programs for communities in the county.
The Wyoming Drought Plan was approved and several revisions were made and accepted as the official plan for Wyoming, by the State Drought Committee. It now goes to Governor Geringer for has review and approval. It will be used as a guide for drought management coordination between federal, state and local officials.
Fire danger remains high to very high in the State. Tom Osterman, State Forester said, " lighting has caused some small fires which were quickly extinguished.. Conditions are ripe for ignition of fire by either man or lighting. Small fires can turn into major fires quickly.". Caution should be taken with all fires throughout the state, because of the ease in which fires can spread out of control because of the dry conditions.
Last year the Governor declared 22 of Wyoming 23 drought disaster areas because of dry conditions and fire danger. Teton county was not included in last years drought designation.