[JULY 8, 2005] SPRINGFIELD -- Activated by Gov. Rod
Blagojevich on June 26, the Illinois Drought Response Task Force met
Thursday to report on the state's condition after weeks of drought.
Climatologists report that since March, the state has only received
about half as much rain as it normally does.
Rainfall in the coming weeks is critical to Illinois crops,
including corn, soybeans, winter wheat, oats and alfalfa. The
Illinois Department of Agriculture reported Thursday that crop
growth restriction and stress continue to be an issue with the lack
of precipitation across the state. Although some areas received rain
in recent days, the quantities were variable and not enough to
replenish soil moisture. Most areas are still in desperate need of
rain to unroll corn leaves and get soybeans blooming. The state
average topsoil moisture was 57 percent very short, 34 percent
short, 8 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
The governor
directed state agencies, top scientists and policy-makers in
Illinois to use all available state resources to minimize the
effects of dry conditions on the Illinois economy and the health and
safety of state citizens.
"What Illinois really needs is rain," Blagojevich said. "But,
until we get it, my administration continues to do everything it can
to help Illinoisans through these times of drought. Our experts are
monitoring the situation around the state, from the water supply to
the condition of our crops. In the meantime, I once again remind you
to be conservative in the water that you use."
Members of the task force include experts from the Illinois Water
Survey, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Water Resource
Management, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the
Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of
Public Health, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the
Illinois Commerce Commission and the U.S. Geological Society.
A website with updated drought and water conservation information
can be accessed at http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/hilites/drought.
Researchers from the Illinois State Water Survey reported
Thursday that it is probable that the drought in central, north
central and northeastern Illinois will continue to worsen. Data
analyzed by state climatologists indicates precipitation levels have
been about 50 percent of normal statewide since March. Soil
moisture, river flow and shallow groundwater levels continue to
decline.
"The best chance of significant rainfall in the next two weeks
will be from Hurricane Dennis, which is currently in the Caribbean,"
said Derek Winstanley, chief of the Illinois State Water Survey.
"Our current precipitation deficit can be traced to a weaker than
normal flow of southerly moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, combined
with high pressure over the region."
"Although not yet critical, farmers are facing a very serious
situation with current conditions," Agriculture Director Chuck
Hartke said. "We are monitoring the weather patterns in all areas of
the state, and if our farmers don't see some significant rain in the
next few weeks, we are prepared to work with the federal government
to obtain financial assistance to offset the severe economic losses
the producers will inevitably face."
If conditions worsen, the governor may be able to issue a
disaster declaration. Such a declaration would make federal
financial aid available to some of those affected by the ongoing
drought.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency co-chairs the
Drought Response Task Force. Responsibilities of the agency include
providing data on public water supplies and identifying at-risk
water systems. A number of cities across Illinois have already
implemented water use restrictions, including communities in the
Chicago, East St. Louis, Rockford and Peoria metropolitan areas.
Blagojevich also instructed all state agencies to conserve water.
"The IEPA's primary concern is that the increased water usage
caused by these dry conditions are taxing our public water supplies'
ability to treat water at adequate levels," said Roger Selburg,
manager of the Division of Public Water Supplies. "Already, since
Governor Blagojevich activated the task force, we have seen
excellent effort at conservation by Illinoisans."
The Illinois Department of Public Health is gathering information
from the 95 local health departments statewide. Of special concern
are Illinois residents who depend on well water.
"As of July 6, the department has received reports concerning
wells going dry, or shallow water wells, and several counties have
resorted to water hauling for their private wells," said Dr. Eric
Whitaker, state public health director. "We are keeping close tabs
on the situation, with the help of our partners at the local health
departments, so that we can best address the needs of the
communities.
The U.S. Geological Society, a member of the task force, has
begun conducting special stream-flow measurements at strategic
locations around Illinois to provide data that will assist local,
state and federal agencies as they plan for and mitigate the effects
of the current drought. Daily and seven-day average measurements
indicate below-normal flow, with six reporting stations documenting
record-low flow.
"How the streams of Illinois flow is a key to predicting how water
supplies statewide are impacted," said Robert Holmes Jr. of the U.S.
Geological Survey. "From the fish that live in the rivers and
streams, to the water companies they supply, to ultimate
destinations like the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, what happens
to the streams is an indicator of what might happen to the overall
water supply in Illinois."
The Illinois Department of Natural
Resources reported Thursday how the drought is affecting aquatic
life. Fish kills were recorded within the past week in small ponds
and streams, as well as at cooling lakes serving nuclear power
plants at LaSalle and Braidwood. Low water levels combined with heat
have reduced oxygen saturation levels in water, leading to the
deaths of the fish. Fisheries experts from the department will
continue to monitor changes in fish population. Additionally, they
recommend that owners of small ponds monitor the growth of duckweed,
which can reduce oxygen levels in water even further.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency suggests state
residents make a conscious effort to conserve water while doing
everyday tasks. The agency recommends that everyone should always be
mindful of their everyday usage and conserve water to the maximum
extent possible.
Additional information
From the Illinois State Water
Survey, Department of Natural Resources:
The drought in Illinois is part of a band of drought
extending south from Lake Michigan, across Illinois, and through
eastern Missouri, Arkansas and southeastern Texas.
Lake Michigan is currently 1.4 feet below normal. Its level
has remained unchanged since mid-May, whereas typically, it
would rise 0.4 feet during that period in an average year.
The Ohio River has below-normal flow for this time of year,
as affected by dry conditions in the watershed from Illinois to
Pennsylvania.
The Illinois River had one of its lowest total June flows on
record.
Above-normal temperatures in June, especially in northern
Illinois, exacerbated the effects of below-normal precipitation.
The period of March, April, May and June is the third-driest
since records began in 1895. Precipitation is 7.5 inches below
the state average of 15.5 inches. Precipitation is 56 percent
below normal in the north central region and 36 percent below
normal in the south.
The Illinois Water Survey records monthly level readings on
35 public water supply reservoirs in Illinois. Thirty of those
monitored had water levels below their normal pool.
From the Illinois Department of
Agriculture:
The average corn height increased to 56 inches, compared
with 67 inches at this time last year and a five-year average of
54 inches.
Corn silked is at 20 percent, compared with 43 percent last
year and a five-year average of 17 percent.
The corn crop condition is rated 37 percent very poor to
poor, 38 percent fair and 25 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans blooming reached 29 percent, 11 points ahead of the
five-year average of 18 percent blooming.
The soybean crop was rated 27 percent very poor to poor, 48
percent fair and 25 percent good to excellent.
Oats are 66 percent turning yellow, compared with 49 percent
last year and a five-year average of 39 percent.
Oats are 25 percent ripe and 10 percent harvested.
Conservation measures recommended by
the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency:
Don't water vegetation during the heat of the day.
Use a broom, not a hose, for outdoor cleaning.
Don't play with the hose or sprinkler.
Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
Turn water off while shaving, brushing teeth, etc.
Take shorter showers or take a bath in a partially filled
tub.
Use dishwashers and washing machines only when full, and
don't pre-rinse unless necessary.
When washing dishes by hand, don't let the rinse water run.
Car washing should be kept to a minimum and water used only
sparingly.
Cut lawns higher in hot months to conserve soil moisture.
