Long term drought continued into March resulting in an upgrade to D3 conditions across southeast Arizona.

Drought in DRAGOON/MULE/HUACHUCA AND SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in TUCSON METRO AREA, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in SANTA CATALINA AND RINCON MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in UPPER SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in EASTERN COCHISE COUNTY BELOW 5000 FEET, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in UPPER GILA RIVER AND ARAVAIPA VALLEYS, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in GALIURO AND PINALENO MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.

Drought in UPPER SANTA CRUZ RIVER AND ALTAR VALLEYS, ARIZONA
From 01-MAR-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Abnormally dry conditions continued during the month of March. The southeast quarter of the state received less than 25% of average rainfall year-to-date and less than 50% for the water year (October to September). This lack of rainfall resulted in an upgrade from D2 conditions to D3 conditions across much of Cochise County on March 8. Later in the month on March 29, all of Cochise County as well as Santa Cruz County, southern Graham County, southern Greenlee County, and eastern Pima County were upgraded to D3 conditions. Prolonged drought conditions helped worsen critical fire weather conditions which helped contribute to numerous small brush fires. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Cochise County, including the Rio Bavispe watershed, found many ponds that normally have water during March were dry. Also, intermittent streams that normally flow were dry in many or all segments. Little to no green forage existed in the grasses or forbs, and pipelines and troughs have replaced most pond water resulting in significant agriculture impacts. The Arizona Drought Watch report for extreme southeast Pima County, including the Santa Cruz River watershed, found that drought impacts are present and severe. The flow in the Santa Cruz is less than last year and about half the average flow seen within drought years. Rising severity was also observed. Water levels were approximately two feet lower than last year and approxiamately six feet lower than pre-drought levels.