Drought Causing Problems in the Midwest

CHICAGO – Lawns are turning brown. Flowers are wilting. Water levels are so low that ducks can stand in some rivers and streams. A drought that is stunting corn, rice and soybean crops across the nation’s Farm Belt is also leading many communities in more urban parts of the Midwest to ban lawn-watering and urge homeowners to conserve.

The drought-stricken area cuts a swath from eastern Texas up into the Great Lakes region, taking in parts of Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and virtually all of Illinois.

In June, Chicago got only about three-quarters of inch, compared with the usual 3.63 inches. And July is shaping up to be even worse, with about 0.70 inches so far in a month that typically gets 3.51 inches.

In Indianapolis, officials have pleaded with customers to cut back on their use of water. St. Peters, Mo., made a similar request. So did Chicago, where WGN-TV meteorologist Dennis Haller said this is the driest summer so far in 135 years.

Yahoo! News