Extreme Drought Expands Across Southern Missouri as Dry Conditions Grip the Ozarks

Drought conditions continue to intensify across portions of the Ozarks, with Extreme Drought now affecting southern Missouri while widespread dry conditions continue across northern Arkansas.

The latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday identifies Extreme Drought in southern Missouri. The weekly assessment comes after weeks of unusually dry and hot weather accelerated what has developed into a flash drought across parts of the region.

As with last week's report, Extreme Drought Conditions are reported north of a Cassville-Kimberling City-Branson line while other areas around Branson are at a Severe Level. Moderate Drought conditions remain over the eastern part of the Missouri Lakes Region over Bull Shoals Lake. 

Drought Conditions are lower in Arkansas with only areas around Eureka Springs in Carroll and Madison Counties at a Severe Drought. The rest of the region, including the Harrison area, remains at Moderate to Abnormally Dry Levels. 

Drought impacts include very low surface water, stressed trees, inadequate forage and greater difficulty supplying water to livestock. Fire hazards continue to impact the region as well. 

In other available data, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reporting Lake Levels in the White River Basin still contains substantial water but are slowly declining due to the try conditions. Both Bull Shoals and Table Rock Lakes are around 82-84% of Conservation Pool.

River and Stream Levels have been more impacted with areas around the Buffalo National River recording low floating conditions throughout the area according to the USGS reports.