Ross D. Franklin, AP FILE – In this July 21, 2012 file photo a large dust storm, or haboob, sweeps across downtown Phoenix.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Drought is tightening its grip across a wide swath of the American Southwest as farmers, ranchers and water managers throughout the region brace for what’s expected to be more warm and dry weather through the spring.
On the southern high plains, Oklahoma is ground zero for the worst drought conditions in the United States.
The exceptional drought in the Panhandle — an area dominated by agriculture — has more than doubled in size.
Many farmers rely on precipitation to help water their crops as pumping groundwater is the only other option.
Water orders will begin next week and officials with the local Irrigation district are encouraging growers to use their surface water as soon as crops demand it.
In Arizona, there’s concern for ranchers as the poor range conditions have left stock tanks dry.
Arizona residents have been living with a continuous drought declaration for years, said Tom Buschatzke, director of the state’s Department of Water Resources.
Part of that is due to the situation within the state’s own boundaries but also what’s happening along the Colorado River, which supplies water to about 40 million people and 6,300 square miles of farmland in seven states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
"It’s getting to the point where the debate will continue to ramp up about whether this is really a drought or whether this is the new normal, what’s the expected future," Buschatzke said.