Record setting heat and dryness intensified drought conditions over eastern Nebraska during July.  Rainfall which was already deficient for the season going into July, became even more sparse during the month with many sites recording less than 1/2 inch and some, including Omaha, barely measuring.  In addition, high temperatures consistently rose above 95 degrees with many sites recording at least 5 days with highs above 100 in July.  The persistent heat and dry weather caused many rivers to drop to very low flows, including the Platte River which dried up completely upstream of the Loup River.  The drought also caused some local wells to dry up or go to very low flow rates.  The low water prompted the Nebraska Dept. of Natural Resources to institute irrigation halts for selective waterways including the Loup and Big Blue Rivers.  The low river levels and irrigation pressure from underground water sources also caused some municipalities to begin voluntary or mandatory water restrictions.  According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions reached the Severe intensity on July 17th in northeast Nebraska roughly along and northwest of a line from Columbus to Wayne.   The continued hot and dry weather pushed that region into the Extreme category between July 24th and 31st and brought at least Severe drought conditions to the rest of eastern Nebraska by the 24th of July.  Extreme drought conditions spread east to a line from near Schuyler to Pender by the end of the month.  The drought in Nebraska and surrounding states caused some crop prices to reach record or near record levels in July and some dry-land corn that failed to produce kernels was baled or cut as silage.  By the end of the month some 38 percent of the soybean and corn crop was considered poor or very poor by the USDA.  The Severe to Extreme drought continued and intensified into August.

Drought in CASS, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in STANTON, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions became severe over the county during July with Omaha receiving only 0.01 inches of rain during the month, a record low.  In addition the month was 8 degrees above normal with 26 days above 90 and 7 above 100.  The intense heat and dryness caused water use to soar which put a strain on water mains.  The hot and dry conditions also caused the soil to dry and crack around some of the mains which in turn allowed many to break, especially east of 72nd street in Omaha.  In Omaha there were 109 water main breaks during the month.

Drought in OTOE, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in ANTELOPE, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SARPY, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in KNOX, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SAUNDERS, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BOONE, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CEDAR, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SALINE, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PIERCE, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WAYNE, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in COLFAX, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SEWARD, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in RICHARDSON, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in NEMAHA, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MADISON, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions during July became extreme across Madison and surrounding counties.  At Norfolk only a trace of rain fell, making it the driest July on record.  In addition it was the 3rd Hottest July on record, about 8 degrees above normal, with 10 days reaching 100 or higher.  The hot and dry weather prompted heavy irrigation use which in turn locally lowered the water table causing some domestic wells to experience very low flow rates or become dry.  Some dry-land crops failed and were baled or used a silage.

Drought in JOHNSON, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in JEFFERSON, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PLATTE, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions reached the extreme category by the end of July across Platte county due to much above normal temperatures and little rainfall.  Columbus measured only 0.03 inches for the month, which was likely a record low amount based on records at surrounding sites.  The dry conditions caused the Platte River to run dry upstream of its confluence with the Loup River.  Irrigation was ordered to be stopped on the Loup due to low water flows on that river.  Non-irrigated crops were extremely stressed or likely died.

Drought in BURT, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GAGE, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PAWNEE, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LANCASTER, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions because severe in Lancaster and surrounding counties in July.  In Lincoln only 0.33 inches of rain fell, making it the 2nd driest July on record.  In addition, it was extremely hot, with July the 7th hottest on record including 11 days of 100 or higher readings.  Some dry-land crops in the county likely failed and were used as hay or silage.

Drought in CUMING, NEBRASKA
From 21-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency