A snow covered island on the Minnesota shoreline on Lake Superior. Photo by  Jordan ,  Adobe Stock licensed image .

Winter is generally a slightly slower time for drought and related impacts, as few crops are actively growing in much of the U.S. and the ground is frozen. Water supplies remained a concern for communities in some states that have been dry for a while, such as Texas. Texas had 17 impacts detailing agricultural and water issues. Florida, Kansas and Pennsylvania had five impacts each, noting fire restrictions in Florida and water concerns in Kansas and Pennsylvania.

The level of the Great Lakes continued their natural, gradual decline in the autumn, but drought conditions in certain regions of the Great Lakes accelerated the water level decline in some of the lakes ( Marine Link ). Water levels in each of the Great Lakes, except for Lake Erie, were currently below long-term monthly averages. At the beginning of February and also for this time of year, Lake Superior was the lowest it has been since 2013, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan were the lowest since 2014, and Lake Ontario was the lowest since 2003. Lake Erie levels were the lowest since 2014, although they remained about 1 centimeter, or 0.39 inches, above the long-term average.

Parts of Texas have remained dry, presenting challenges for farmers and ranchers. The Texas beef cattle herd expanded somewhat in 2024, but the U.S. cattle herd remained close to its lowest since 1961 ( AgriLife Today ). Some of the factors slowing the rebuilding of the cattle herd included the strong beef cattle market, high input costs and long-term unease about drought, according to Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension statewide beef cattle specialist, and David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock and food product economist.

Growers in the Texas Winter Garden and lower Rio Grande Valley, two major growing regions, were dealing with the difficulties of water shortages and market fluctuations ( AgriLife Today ). The lower Rio Grande Valley, in particular, urgently needed water as reduced water allotments and drought made it harder to grow crops.

Jacob’s Well, a spring connected to Cypress Creek in central Texas, has been closed to swimmers since June 2022 ( MySA ). The flow has been near zero due to severe drought in 2022 and 2023 and demand for groundwater. Jacob’s Well was flowing at 0.03 cubic feet per second on Feb. 4.

Drought conditions in Florida fluctuated in February on the U.S. Drought Monitor. On Feb. 14, seventeen counties had a Keetch-Byram Drought Index above 500, indicating an elevated fire danger ( The Ledger ). The fire season typically extends from January into May or June, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Fifty active wildfires were burning statewide on Feb. 14, blackening about 806 acres, as reported by the Florida Forest Service.

Some counties responded by adopting fire restrictions. In early February, a burn ban took effect for Hendry County due to dry weather ( WGCU 90.1 FM ). Sarasota County officials also adopted a burn ban. All outdoor burning was prohibited unless a permit was issued and was applicable for unincorporated parts of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota. Toward the end of the month, all outdoor burning was banned in Charlotte County due to the current drought conditions and the elevated fire risk ( WGCU 90.1 FM ). The discharge of fireworks and sparklers was also prohibited. Other counties with burn bans included Collier, Sarasota, Glades, Hendry and Highlands.

Wichita remained in Stage 2 drought restrictions as drought persisted ( KWCH 12 ). The restrictions could persist for a while, since Stage 2 restrictions continue when the 12-month moving average of Cheney Reservoir’s conservation pool is between 50% and 69%. Cheney Reservoir was nearly 59% full at the end of February.

The water restrictions have prompted some businesses to adjust their seasonal offerings and adapt in other ways. Anticipating continued drought in 2025, a Wichita gardening business changed its offerings to favor vegetables, fruit bushes and herbs, while planting fewer perennial and annual bedding plants.

A Wichita businessman who remodels pools and spas warned that if the city were to enter Stage 3 water restrictions—which prohibit outdoor water use, except for food-producing gardens and certain businesses—that people would not be able to fill their pools, which would likely adversely affect business.

The level of the Ogallala Aquifer has dropped significantly in the western portion of the state, due to increased irrigation and lengthy stretches of drought, according to the Kansas Geological Survey ( Brownfield Ag News ). The Ogallala is extremely important as it is the “source of life and economics” in western Kansas, according to state geologist Jay Kalbas. The Ogallala Aquifer is one of the largest aquifers in the world.

Drought watches and warnings have remained in effect in many Pennsylvania counties since Nov. 1. Schuylkill and Berks counties were in a drought warning, while 33 other counties were still in a drought watch as precipitation has been below normal since the summer ( Republican Herald ).

The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, which serves 30,000 residents in Pottsville and 21 other municipalities, last week asked customers to continue limiting water usage until further notice. The seven reservoirs that the authority uses for its water supply were at an average of 66% of their total storage. The seven deep water wells were all low as rainfall has been sparse since the summer. The Schuylkill Haven Municipal Authority, serving about 3,300 customers in the borough, Cressona and some of North Manheim Township, also recently reiterated a plea for water conservation by its customers, asking for a 15% reduction.

The dearth of precipitation was evident in winter wheat conditions. A Bethlehem farmer remarked on the brown color of his field, noting that it ought to be almost a green carpet or at least have green vegetation ( WFMZ 69 News ). The farmer reported that rows were not visible in his field, when it should be three to six inches at this point in the season.

Trout grown at a hatchery in Monroe County were a little smaller than usual, too, as water flow in area streams and waterways had not fully recovered from last summer’s drought ( WNEP ). Lower flow means less oxygen, and cold temperatures also slow fish growth.

Drought can lead water utilities to switch sources or can affect water quality, leading to changes in aesthetics. In Bloomington, Illinois, for example, water had a different taste and odor as the water department began using water from another lake ( WEEK ). Drought was part of the reason for pulling water from another lake.

New Jersey water customers may have noticed a saltiness in their tap water due to the use of salt and brine on roads and the continuing drought ( The Monmouth Journal ). New Jersey American Water assured its customers that the water it provides met primary drinking water standards.

For more impact information, please visit the  Drought Impact Reporter Dashboard .