Drought conditions this month have improved as a whole across Texas, but north Texas remained in the extreme and exceptional categories (D3 and D4) according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Despite several rainfall events this month, water deficits continued to be quite high.  It will take several more months of normal to above normal precipitation to make up for the lost rainfall incurred over the last 18 months.  Most lakes and reservoirs in north Texas continued to be below conservation pool, with several more than 5 feet below.  Water restrictions remained in effect in almost every community.  High summertime water usage combined with higher evaporation rates during the summertime months continued to deplete water resources, even as above normal precipitation was recorded for the month of September at Dallas/Fort Worth.  Disaster declarations remained in place for Comanche, Collin, Hood, and Parker Counties.  Crops continued to suffer during September.  Cotton was especially hard hit, suffering over a billion dollars in losses for the year statewide.  Other crops, such as soybeans, corn, and sorghum were also decimated.  Hay continued to cost more than twice it's usual cost...as pastures did not offer enough sustenance for cattle.  The selling of cattle continued as ranchers could not afford to feed them.  In fact, the cattle stock has dwindled so much that repercussions may be felt for several years.  Even though rains this month increased the moisture available to vegetation, which helped to lower the fire threat, frequent cold fronts brought dry air and gusty north winds.  These two factors greatly increased the wildfire potential, and burn bans remained in place for almost every north Texas county.

Drought in PALO PINTO, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HAMILTON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LEON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ROCKWALL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in GRAYSON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ROBERTSON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOOD, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DALLAS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in STEPHENS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BOSQUE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in VAN ZANDT, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in KAUFMAN, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DELTA, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in PARKER, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in JOHNSON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ELLIS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in TARRANT, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HILL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MILAM, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in WISE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HENDERSON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ERATH, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BELL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMAR, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in YOUNG, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DENTON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in RAINS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COMANCHE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LIMESTONE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FANNIN, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SOMERVELL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HUNT, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ANDERSON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CORYELL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMPASAS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FREESTONE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in EASTLAND, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MCLENNAN, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in JACK, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FALLS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MILLS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MONTAGUE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Crop damage: 80M
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in NAVARRO, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COLLIN, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COOKE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOPKINS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-06 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.