With continued little or no rainfall along with much above normal temperatures, the drought expanded and intensified through July across central and north central South Dakota. Severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought early in July worsened to extreme (D3) to exceptional (D4) across all of the area by the middle of July and remained through the end of the month. Rainfall was 1.50 inches to 2.25 inches below normal for the month and from 7 to 8 inches below normal for the year. Soil moisture was 4 to 5 inches below normal and lake and river flows were well below normal. Crops and pastures were devastated due to the extreme dryness and burn bans were in effect across all of the area. Many ranchers had to sell off much of their cattle. Throughout July, periodic strong winds, low relative humidities, along with many lightning storms resulted in tens, if not over one-hundred fires across central and north central South Dakota. Tens of thousands of acres of pastureland and cropland were burned as a result of the fires. Hundreds of fire fighters worked throughout the month to contain the fires. The governor of South Dakota declared a statewide emergency and the United States Department of Agriculture declared all of the counties drought disasters. Swan Lake, in north central South Dakota between Lowry and Hoven, had completely dried up from the long period of dryness. The last time this happened to the lake was 30 years prior in 1976. Also, Lake Oahe at Pierre was four feet above its all time low.

Drought in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-06 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY