Severe to exceptional drought continued to grip much of the Big Country or the region north of Interstate 20.  Severe drought returned to San Angelo, Eldorado, Sonora, Ozona and surrouding communities with the lack of beneficial rainfall and hot temperatures.  Surface water supplies are still low across West Central Texas which includes the Big Country due to limited runoff from rainfall. The City of San Angelo has enacted drought level two water restriction because of a limited, 15 month water supply. Several other cities like Abilene and Brownwood have also enacted water restrictions because of the dwindling water supplies.
According to the Texas Crop Weather Report issued July 31, by the Texas A&M Agriculture Program for the Big Country Region, the dryland cotton crop was suffering from moisture stress and wasn���t growing.  Insurance adjusters were disastering-out more dryland cotton acres. Pastures were in fair to poor condition. The extreme heat was another concern as cattle producers were seeing stock tanks drying up and well levels dropping. Fly and insect pressure was ongoing. Wildfires were becoming more of a concern.
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. Producers were cutting and baling haygrazer. More rain was needed to make a second cutting. Grazing was very limited, and producers started feeding hay. Stock-tank water levels dropping. Livestock remained in good condition, though some producers were selling cattle due to high feed costs and very little access to hay.

Drought in IRION, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Irion County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Schleicher County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Sutton County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Shackelford County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Throckmorton County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Tom Green County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated an exceptional drought across Fisher County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated an exceptional drought across Jones County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated an extreme drought across Haskell County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Crockett County.

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

The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated a severe drought across Coke County.