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This drought caused many counties to impose water use restrictions and burn bans. Grazing
was prohibited on government lands to protect the drought-stressed grass, affecting
thousands of cattle. Emergency haying and grazing was allowed by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) on Conservation Reserve Program lands. All 105 counties were eligible
for federal assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The drought had
a $1.1 billion impact on crop production.
• 1988–1992: The severity of this drought varied across the state. It was most severe in the
southwestern, central, and northeastern parts of the state but minimal in the northwestern
and southeastern parts. Surface-water supplies were sufficient to meet demands through
the end of water year 1988, but rainfall during this period was less than 50% of the longterm
average, so quantities were insufficient to maintain soil moisture or contribute to
ground-water supplies. Estimated drought-related losses to 1988 crops were $1 billion.
Water levels in shallow aquifers declined rapidly and led to the abandonment of many
domestic water wells. The drought of 1988 continued into the 1990s, but at a reduced level.
• 1974–1982: This appeared to be a series of relatively short droughts at some stream
gauging stations, but longer droughts at others (similar to the 1962–1972 droughts). The
recurrence interval of this drought was greater than 25 years in the north-central and
southeastern parts but was between 10 and 25 years across the remaining eastern twothirds
of the state. The severity of this drought could not be determined for the western third
of the state.
• 1962–1972: The duration of this regional drought varied considerably across Kansas. Many
of the stream flow records indicated alternating less than average and greater-than-average
flows, while others indicated less than average flows for the entire period. The recurrence
interval was generally greater than 25 years but was between 10 and 25 years in parts of
the northwestern, northeastern, southern, and southeastern areas of the state.
• 1952–1957: This regional drought had a recurrence interval greater than 25 years
statewide. One exception was in the Big Blue River Basin, where the recurrence interval
was 10-25 years. Because of its severity and areal extent, this drought is used as the base
period for studies of reservoir yields in Kansas. In 1954, 41 counties were declared eligible
for aid under the Emergency Feed program. During this period, 175 cities reported water
shortages, most of which restricted water use.
• 1929–1942: This drought, which includes the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, was regional in scale
and affected many of the Midwestern and western states. Nevertheless, it ranks among the
most significant national events of the twentieth century. The recurrence interval was greater
than 25 years throughout Kansas. Drought, wind, and poor agricultural practices combined
to result in enormous soil erosion. Agricultural losses were extreme, and many farms were
abandoned. Effects of the drought sent economic and social ripples throughout the country,
contributing to the economic, physical, and emotional hardships of the Great Depression.
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