Fri., July 17, 2015

Drought heating up to be outdoors story of the year

An advertising campaign inspired by drought encourages California residents to landscape with native plants that need less water. The ads also encourage people to take shorter showers and use brooms to sweep instead of hosing off driveways and sidewalks. (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission)

DROUGHT -- Here are more reports for a perspective on drought that's plaguing the region along with its fisheries and outdoor and agricultural industries.

Drought level on B.C.'s south coast, Lower Fraser area hits highest level
British Columbia officials have declared a Stage 4 drought, the province's highest level, in the province's most-populated areas: the south coast and the Lower Fraser area.
--Vancouver Sun

USDA declares 15 Montana counties natural disasters due to drought
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared a natural disaster in 15 counties in Montana due to drought, allowing farmers in Flathead, Lake, Glacier, Lincoln, Sanders, Missoula, Ravalli, Silver Bow, Powell, Pondera, Mineral, Lewis and Clark, Granite, Beaverhead, and Deer Lodge counties who have been affected by drought eight months to apply for an emergency loan.
--Flathead Beacon

Federal report says Colorado is nearly drought free
After several years of drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday said just 2 percent of Colorado was considered to be "abnormally dry," a considerable change from three months ago, when 75 percent of the state was considered in drought.
-- Denver Post

Also note these recent stories and posts in the S-R and other region outlets:

Notable stories from climate agencies include:

Posted July 17, 2015, 6:02 a.m.