Despite some improvement in drought conditions in the northern and western parts of the Missouri River basin, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has decided to maintain its water conservation measures until at least the end of the year.
While there has been relief in Montana and Wyoming, the lower basin and eastern South Dakota continue to experience abnormally dry or drought conditions.
The severity of drought conditions in Kansas has now moved over to Missouri, with some areas experiencing extraordinary drought. However, conditions have improved in certain areas of eastern Nebraska and South Dakota due to recent rainfall.
The runoff projection above Sioux City, Iowa, has increased, but the recovery of reservoir storage will still take time. Therefore, the water conservation measures will continue through 2023 and possibly longer.
Gavins Point Dam near Yankton has increased its releases to support navigation in the lower basin.
The three-month precipitation outlook suggests that the Central Plains and upper Missouri River basin may have slightly above-average precipitation. However, the possibility of an El Nino event could impact the situation, as El Ninos have historically brought cooler and wetter conditions to the Upper Plains.