The hydrologic and agricultural drought which officially began in May continued across north Texas this month.  Many locations had precipitation deficits of 15 to 25 inches below normal for the past twelve months.  All of north Texas was again considered to be in either extreme or exceptional drought, as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Some areas along the Red River did see some rainfall this month, and the area of exceptional drought had shrunk considerably since last month.  With dry vegetation in place, the threat of wildfires remained quite high.  Strong cold fronts brought dry, windy conditions on several occasions to north Texas, which exacerbated the situation.  A drought disaster was declared for all Texas counties, and almost all north Texas counties were under burn bans. Lakes across north Texas were on average 7 to 15 feet below normal elevation, and a few were even worse off.  The lower lake levels presented new hazards to boaters, as rock and other materials protruded from beneath the surface and edges of the lakes.  Several boat ramps were closed as a precaution.  City officials in Plano increased their water conservation efforts, asking the city's top 10 water users to identify ways to decrease their usage. A conference was held in San Antonio to discuss the drought and find possible solutions.  Farmers and ranchers were having a particularly hard time with the drought's effects.  Hay was both very expensive and scarce in the state, and calves were being sold underweight.  This year's wheat crop was expected to be well below normal.  The cotton crop was also in danger of being below normal if ample precipitation didn't fall soon.  The Texas Farm Bureau set up a relief fund which donated hay, feed, wire, fence posts, addition workers, and money to help offset the costs incurred from the drought and related wildfires.  The United States Department of Agriculture decided to allow emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program land across Texas through June.  The Governor also temporarily suspended permit requirements and fees so that out-of-state hay could more easily reach those who needed it.  Many other effects were felt due to the drought.  Wildlife and native plants were suffering.  Many birds and other animals which nest on the ground were having a hard time finding food.  Cracked foundations were a common occurrence across north Texas.  One foundation repair company reported that the ground was so dry that they found problems with foundation piers 12 feet below the surface.

Drought in MONTAGUE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COOKE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in GRAYSON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FANNIN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Crop damage: 300M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMAR, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in YOUNG, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in JACK, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DALLAS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ROCKWALL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in KAUFMAN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MILAM, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ROBERTSON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LEON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in RAINS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ERATH, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOOD, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SOMERVELL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in JOHNSON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ELLIS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MILLS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOPKINS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in STEPHENS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in PALO PINTO, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in PARKER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in TARRANT, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HAMILTON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BOSQUE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HILL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in NAVARRO, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMPASAS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CORYELL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MCLENNAN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LIMESTONE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FREESTONE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ANDERSON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BELL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FALLS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in EASTLAND, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COMANCHE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COLLIN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HUNT, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DELTA, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in WISE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DENTON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.