Lawns have browned. Corn has curled. Gardeners seem to be spending all of their time watering.
About half the state is in a moderate drought, defined as some damage to crops, high fire risk and water shortages. A drought emergency has been issued for 42 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, including Portage and Wood.
In Stevens Point, 2.24 inches of rain fell in June, about half of normal. Our last precipitation was June 21 – three weeks ago. Through June, Stevens Point has had 13.57 inches of precipitation this year, according to Jeremy Cramer, wastewater superintendent for the city of Stevens Point. In recent history, that’s not so unusual. It’s just that the last two Julys have both seen more than nine inches of rain. So far in July 2012, we may have had nine drops of rain.
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