Unseasonably dry weather in September continued to take its toll on non-irrigated crops across Delaware. For the state, it was the 5th driest September on record dating back to 1895. On a county weighted average, September rainfall ranged from 0.4 inches in New Castle County, to 1.2 inches in Kent County. Normal is about 3.7 inches.
The crop damage was already done. On September 11th, the United States Department of Agriculture declared the entire state a drought disaster area. This made farmers who suffered more than 30 percent crop losses and unable to secure loans from convential banks to be eligible for low interest loans. It was estimated that 90 percent of all Delaware farmers suffered at least 30 percent crop losses. The last drought disaster occurred in 2002.
The corn harvest was expected to be 40 percent less than 2006, the largest year over year decline of any state. The corn yield per acre
was expected to be the second lowest in the nation. The soybean harvest was affected also as it was forecasted to be 32 percent less than 2006. It was expected to be the lowest soybean harvest since 1970. Even farms that had irrigation capabilities, the high cost of electricity and diesel fuel cut into their profits. The reduced corn harvest forced the Delaware poultry industry to have to import feed from other states. Hay fields were also dry and there were continued problems with spider mites. One of the few benefits of the dry weather was that it reduced powdery mildew problems on pumpkins and there were no muddy field problems.
The drought started to have an affect on stream and water supplies. Shallow groundwater wells were near record lows. Deeper wells were falling slower. Newark had to start using its back-up reservoir for water supplies because of the reduced flow along the White Clay Creek. Pennsylvania started to release 5 million gallons of water a day from the Marsh Creek Reservoir to protect downstream ecosystems and water users along the Brandywine Creek. Dry conditions allowed salt levels to move farther upstream than normal along tidal sections of the Christina River and White Clay Creek. An inflatable dam was used to protect the fresh water supply of United Water of Delaware. The landscaping industry considered this the 2nd or 3rd worst growing season in the past decade.
Actual monthly precipitation totals included 0.49 inches at the New Castle County Airport, 4th driest on record. Normal is 4.01 inches. In Georgetown, the monthly precipitation total was 1.14 inches. Normal is 3.99 inches.

Drought in DELAWARE BEACHES, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-07 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-07 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in INLAND SUSSEX, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-07 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-07 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in KENT, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-07 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-07 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE
From 01-SEP-07 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-07 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency