Record Breaking Drought in parts of Ohio

[Doc]

RECORD BREAKING DROUGHT:
Portions of Southeastern Ohio are now experiencing a once in a generation drought.
Catastrophic loss of vegetation and crop yield is likely occuring all across the region, including Chillicothe and Circleville.
This level of drought hasn’t been seen for decades for portions of the Scioto Valley and into the Extreme SE Ohio region. The only comparable years are 1930-1933. When the dust bowl happened.
The next opportunity for rainfall is on Saturday.
It will be one of the only opportunities for rain in the next 10-16 days.
No drought relief through at least mid September.

Note: I live in the dark maroon section of the state. So dry here.

 

[300 H and H]

I think it is likely worse than the maps show.
I believe here is considerable lag time between this map and actual conditions.
I would also like to see a map of subsoil moister levels for a better picture of the problem.
But yes, this isn't good. We have lived this scenario for nearly 5 years now.
It sucks. Except no mosquitoes!

 

[Doc]

Yes, Kirk, you found the silver lining. No nasty mosquitoes. Yay.

 

[tommu56]

We can send you some Debby put a hurt on us i didnt hear the rain total, and we had 1.9" yesterday in 2 hours, caling for 2-3" tomorrow.

 

[Melensdad]

I think it is likely worse than the maps show.
I believe here is considerable lag time between this map and actual conditions.
I would also like to see a map of subsoil moister levels for a better picture of the problem.
But yes, this isn't good. We have lived this scenario for nearly 5 years now.
It sucks. Except no mosquitoes!

I'd rather have FOOD & mosquitoes than NOT have food & mosquitoes.

Not sure what they grow in SE Ohio, but I suspect it is more than corn/soybeans. In addition to the commodity crops, probably melons and other produce too. I know southern Indiana has some big produce farms that are not commodity producers, I'd tend to think the climate/soil along the river is similar in southern Indiana might be similar to souther Ohio?

 

[Doc]

The crops of the big farmers near me seem to be doing okay in this drought since they irrigate with water from the Ohio river.

 

[tommu56]

Here's a video of Debby from just north of us we went up with our boat and crews for search and evacuation

 

[300 H and H]

I know southern Indiana has some big produce farms that are not commodity producers, I'd tend to think the climate/soil along the river is similar in southern Indiana might be similar to souther Ohio?

Truck farming of produce is usually done in sandy soils with center pivot or a walking irrigation system. The Companies who contract this production like the sand because it allows a timelier planting season and harvest even if it rains.

And yes the river usually provides sandy soil as well as the water for irrigation.

The revenue per acer of these fields generate allows for the extra cost of irrigation and then some.