KSNT News

Counties with the worst droughts in Kansas

By Stacker,

13 days ago

STACKER – About 17% of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought , according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Winter storms brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts , that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. New Mexico currently is the state with the highest drought level, covering nearly 75% of the state’s area.

In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk.

Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios , much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.

Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Kansas with the worst droughts in the week leading up to April 9, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. “Abnormally dry” is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties which are not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.

Emma Rubin // Stacker

Kansas statistics

– Abnormally dry: 51.9%
– Area in drought: 28.9% (#8 nationally)
— Moderate drought: 27.3%
— Severe drought: 1.6%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Stafford County

– Abnormally dry: 28.1%
– Area in drought: 71.9%
— Moderate drought: 71.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Elk County

– Abnormally dry: 26.9%
– Area in drought: 73.1%
— Moderate drought: 56.6%
— Severe drought: 16.5%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Graham County

– Abnormally dry: 20.5%
– Area in drought: 79.5%
— Moderate drought: 63.6%
— Severe drought: 15.8%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Rice County

– Abnormally dry: 17.7%
– Area in drought: 82.3%
— Moderate drought: 69.6%
— Severe drought: 12.7%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Brandy S Imlay // Shutterstock

Doniphan County

– Abnormally dry: 17.5%
– Area in drought: 82.5%
— Moderate drought: 82.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Jefferson County

– Abnormally dry: 14.4%
– Area in drought: 85.6%
— Moderate drought: 85.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Nicholas Warren // Shutterstock

Riley County

– Abnormally dry: 13.9%
– Area in drought: 86.1%
— Moderate drought: 86.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

Chautauqua County

– Abnormally dry: 13.6%
– Area in drought: 86.4%
— Moderate drought: 52.8%
— Severe drought: 33.6%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Cloud County

– Abnormally dry: 10.3%
– Area in drought: 89.7%
— Moderate drought: 89.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

jstillma // Shutterstock

Brown County

– Abnormally dry: 9.4%
– Area in drought: 90.6%
— Moderate drought: 90.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Mitchell County

– Abnormally dry: 5.1%
– Area in drought: 94.9%
— Moderate drought: 79.1%
— Severe drought: 15.9%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Pottawatomie County

– Abnormally dry: 4.8%
– Area in drought: 95.2%
— Moderate drought: 95.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Reno County

– Abnormally dry: 3.5%
– Area in drought: 96.5%
— Moderate drought: 77.1%
— Severe drought: 19.4%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Geary County

– Abnormally dry: 2.6%
– Area in drought: 97.4%
— Moderate drought: 97.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Real Window Creative // Shutterstock

Atchison County

– Abnormally dry: 2.4%
– Area in drought: 97.6%
— Moderate drought: 97.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Pratt County

– Abnormally dry: 1.6%
– Area in drought: 98.4%
— Moderate drought: 98.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%