The drought that parched Texas beginning in September 2010 and lasting at least into early this year took a great toll
on agriculture and related businesses, strained water supplies and smashed a few records.
But as severe as it was, did it surpass the 1950s drought of record, the worst drought the state has seen since such
things have been measured? Believe it or not, the answer is no for the state as a whole, but some Texas regions might get there yet, officials say.
Just about anyone who lived in Texas over the last couple of years was impacted by the drought. Statewide agricultural losses
added up to $7.62 billion. Farmers saw their crops wither in the field and ranchers, faced with limited food for their cattle, were forced to cull their herds or travel out of state
to secure hay at a higher expense. This in turn drove up prices at the grocery store. Water providers across the state, facing rapidly dropping supplies, called for water use
restrictions and urged people to conserve. Despite this, some communities went dry and had to resort to emergency measures to bring water to their residents.
By the time the drought moved into its second year in September 2011, it was breaking records. The U.S. Drought Monitor
colored nearly all of the state, 87 percent, the deep crimson representing the most severe level, extreme drought, well beyond the previous record of drought coverage. From
October 2010 to September 2011, Texas also broke the record set in 1956 during the drought of record for driest 12-month period, according to John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state
climatologist. During that time, the state averaged about 11 inches of rain, compared to the normal annual average of 27 inches. That was 2.5 inches less than the previous
1956 record. Around the state during those months, many locations also broke records for the number of 100 degree-plus days.
But to beat the 1950s drought, the 2011 event would have needed to intensify and last much longer, Nielsen-Gammon said.
The 1950s drought began between 1951 and 1953, depending on the location, and lasted until at least 1957, according to the National Climatic Data Center. As it progressed over
years, the drought caused great economic hardship across the Great Plains, devastating agriculture. Crop yields dropped by as much as 50 percent, and grasses died on such a large
scale that many farmers fed their cattle a combination of prickly pear cactus and molasses just to keep them alive. By the drought’s end, all but 10 of Texas’ 254 counties had been
declared federal disaster areas.
“The recent drought was perhaps the most intense single year drought in recorded history, but fortunately it only
lasted a little over one year for most areas in the Brazos basin,” said Brad Brunett, BRA water services manager.
At the recent drought’s worst point, seven of the BRA system reservoirs reached record lows, but overall the system remained
at least 60 percent full, Brunett said. With the exception of Possum Kingdom and Stillhouse Hollow lakes, the system reservoirs have since refilled. By mid-July, Stillhouse Hollow
measured about 94 percent full and Possum Kingdom, 84 percent.
Nielsen-Gammon added that some parts of the state remain in drought conditions, especially West Texas. Technically, this
means those areas still set a new drought of record should the dry period continue. The main culprit behind the 2011 drought was a weather phenomenon known as La Niña. This
is a climate pattern where water temperatures near the Equator are unusually cold in the Pacific Ocean. La Niña has been linked to warmer, drier conditions across the South,
particularly in winter.
However, the recent La Niña pattern appears to be fading, which could mean increased chances of more rain this
coming winter.
Though Texas did not surpass the 1950s drought, that is probably little comfort to those whose lives and businesses were hit
so hard in 2011. One thing is clear, just as the rains return after a dry spell, Texans will surely see drought again. It’s up to all of us to conserve and practice sensible water
use to help assure that the supply lasts through our times of need.
For more information about current conditions and lake levels, please click
here to go to the BRA’s drought
status page.
