The U.S. Drought Monitor issued through the National Drought Mitigation Center on August 28, depicts exceptional to extreme drought across parts of Jones, Haskell, Fisher, Shackleford and Throckmorton Counties.  Meanwhile, the lack of rainfall and very hot conditions have caused the severe drought to expand across the remainder of West Central Texas.
According to the Texas Crop Weather Report issued August 21, by the Texas A&M Agriculture Program for the northern Big Country Region, pastures and rangeland of those counties with exceptional to extreme drought remained in poor condition and were in need of rain. Stock-water tanks remained low, as did lake levels.  Dryland cotton did not look very good.  Irrigated cotton producers reported wells going dry. Over-grazing and lack of moisture took its toll on pastures in some areas, and ranchers were selling off more cattle. Some producers were shipping cattle every day. Old trees were dying off in pastures.
Surface water supplies are still low across West Central Texas due to limited runoff from rainfall. The City of San Angelo has enacted drought level two water restriction because of a limited, 14 month water supply. Several other cities including Abilene, Ballinger and Brownwood have also enacted water restrictions because of the dwindling water supplies.
Over the rest of West Central Texas the hot, dry conditions continued. Soil-moisture levels continued to decline with high evaporation rates. Most row crops showed severe moisture stress. Although cotton was beginning to bloom, it was also moisture stressed. Irrigation continued where water was available. Stock-tank water levels dropping.  Supplemental feeding of livestock further increased.

Drought in SHACKELFORD, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Shackelford County experienced extreme drought conditions during August.

Drought in SUTTON, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Sutton County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in JONES, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Jones County experienced exceptional drought conditions during August.

Drought in THROCKMORTON, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Throckmorton County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in TOM GREEN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Tom Green County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in SCHLEICHER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Schleicher County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in CROCKETT, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Crockett County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in RUNNELS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Runnels County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in FISHER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Fisher County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in TAYLOR, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Taylor County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in HASKELL, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Haskell County experienced exceptional drought conditions during August.

Drought in NOLAN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Nolan County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in CALLAHAN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Callahan County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in COKE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Coke County experienced severe drought conditions during August.

Drought in CONCHO, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The U.S. Drought Monitior indicated that Concho County experienced severe drought conditions during August.