Governor declares drought emergency in eastern Montana.
Conditions are worsening day by day in eastern Montana, and it’s starting to have major impacts on farmers and ranchers in the region.
This is now the worst drought to affect northeast Montana since the U.S. Drought Monitor was first issued in 2000.
The National Weather Service in Glasgow reports significant soil moisture loss in recent weeks.
In May alone, 8.58" of water was lost at one site due to evaporation, leaving the area bone dry.
This area has received a little bit of rain (.12" at Glasgow Valley County Airport) in June, but even that has disappeared.
The order includes 19 counties and two Native American reservations: Blaine, Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Hill, McCone, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Valley, and Wibaux counties, and the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
Report impacts The National Drought Mitigation Center needs your reports.
Hay Hotline The Montana Department of Agriculture reminds people that its "Hay Hotline" is available.
To access the online hay hotline, click here.