Drought Area Continue to Rise and Expand in Lakes Region

Dry conditions continue to worsen across the Missouri Lakes Region and northern Arkansas, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report.

Barry County is now under Severe Drought conditions, while areas between a Shell Knob to Forsyth line are classified as being in Moderate Drought. The remainder of the Missouri Lakes Region is considered Abnormally Dry.

In Arkansas, locations west of a line from Omaha to Harrison to Jasper are experiencing Moderate Drought conditions, with the rest of the region categorized as Abnormally Dry.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, Severe Drought conditions can lead to significant agricultural impacts. Crops may be negatively affected, some fields may go unplanted, hay production is reduced, and livestock producers often begin feeding cattle earlier than normal. River and stream levels in affected areas are also reported to be very low.

The drought situation could worsen in the coming week. Forecasts call for little to no rainfall and increasing temperatures over the next seven days, providing little relief for already dry soils and declining water levels.