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networks, motor carrier authorities and emergency water from state fishing lakes and federal
reservoirs. Despite these efforts, livestock numbers in June marked the lowest cattle
inventory since 1973. The risk of wildfires was high throughout the State with as many as
78 counties issuing burn bans over some period of 2012. At least 41,000 acres burned. Dry
conditions in the fall resulted in dust storms visible by satellite.
• 2011: Precipitation for 2011 was -8.92 inches below normal for the year statewide, with
climatic divisions varying from -3.51 to -14.36 inches below normal. The Governor signed 6
executive orders between April and November for various drought stages over the year,
increasing the number of counties to 100 in the November order including 40 counties in
emergency stage. The year began with extraordinarily low winter moisture and the very little
precipitation continued throughout the year. Throughout the year the severity and area
affected varied. Drought conditions reached their greatest extent as reflected by the
Drought Monitor October 4 when exceptional drought (D4) covered 18 percent of the State
while 93 percent of the State was shown as abnormally dry (D1-D4), 54 percent severe (D2-
D4) and 33 percent extreme (D3-D4). Conditions improved slightly through the end of the
year.
USDA agricultural disaster due to drought was declared for 70 counties in Kansas based on
crop losses. Kansas agricultural losses were estimated by the Kansas Department of
Agriculture at over $1.77 billion due to drought. The hot dry conditions in Kansas were
centered in southwest and south central Kansas, being the hottest and driest for these
climatic areas since 1895. Many locations set new records for the number of days with
temperatures of 100 o F or more, June through August. Statewide, soil moisture was around
50 percent adequate as 2011 began but never exceeded 55 percent for topsoil moisture
until November. Very little surplus existed all year for topsoil or subsoil moisture.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer lakes and most rivers in Kansas received less than
normal inflow during 2011, but the total reservoir inflows were sufficient to allow the lakes to
operate near normal levels.
At least 38 public water suppliers in 22 counties initiated conservation measures due to
drought conditions. These include municipal, rural water districts and a community college.
In 2011 MDS administration occurred on at least eight river systems effecting about 279
water rights. 2011 marked the lowest January 1 cattle inventory in the U.S since 1958.
Drought contributed to a three percent decrease in inventory by January 2012.
• May 4, 2002–October 1, 2003: Beginning on May 4, 2002, the Palmer Drought Severity
Index reached -2.5 in the northwest and southwest districts of the state and remained below
that value, triggering activation of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. At its worst in
2002, the PDSI was below -3.0 in six of nine meteorological districts. In 2002, rainfall was
less than the Dust Bowl years in some parts of western Kansas. Lakes decreased
significantly in size and ground water levels dropped. Low water in the Missouri River
interfered with river barge traffic and necessitated the release of water from Milford, Tuttle
Creek, and Perry Lakes.
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