Drought Information Statement for South Texas Valid April 6, 2025 Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by May 7, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/crp/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. March experienced above normal precipitation with above normal temperatures Drought conditions worsened over the span of a month across most of South Texas as much more rain is needed Greater likelihood for above normal temperatures and equal chances for above or below normal precipitation through April 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of northern Webb, La Salle, McMullen, Live Oak and Bee counties. D2 (Severe Drought): All of South Texas except portions of the southern Coastal Bend. D1 (Moderate Drought): Kleberg and southern portions of Duval and Jim Wells counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): None. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Most of South Texas. No Change: Portions of all South Texas counties except Goliad county. Drought Improved: None. Precipitation Portions of South Texas received up to 300% of normal precipitation, but mainly south. Extreme NW portions of La Salle and Webb counties saw around 50% of normal precipitation. Much of the region received around 2-4” of rain and some localized areas south received around 6-8” during the month of March. South Texas Rainfall Temperature Max temperatures were above normal across the board. Much of the region were 4 to 6 degrees above normal and between 1 to 4 degrees above normal south over the last 7 days of March. Max temperatures were 6-8+ degrees above normal across the region except for a more modest 4-6 degrees above normal for the Coastal Bend over the month of March. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Stage 3 water restrictions remain in effect despite a slight rise in local lake levels but continue to decline overall. Currently, the combined storage levels of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon are sitting at 17.3 percent as of April 6th. Under Stage 4 water restrictions, outdoor watering is prohibited, but no date has been announced for if or when they will kick in. However, homeowners can still water their foundations by hand once every other week. Stage 4 is implemented when city officials determine a water-supply emergency exists. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and said they will continue to keep the public informed as the drought conditions persist. Agricultural Impacts (https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/tag/texas-crop-and-weather-report/) Coastal Bend: Widespread rain over three days delivered 1.5-7 inches across the district. Standing water was common in low-lying areas, particularly in southeast parts of the district. Cotton planting was delayed until the fields dry. Rice planting slowed due to rainfall but should pick up next week. Herbicide applications were made to corn fields, and fertilizer was applied to hay fields before the rain. Corn and sorghum crops should benefit from the rain, and some dry-planted fields were expected to emerge. Pasture conditions were poor but should improve with warmer temperatures and available moisture. Livestock diet supplementation continued but may slow as pastures improve. Most ponds caught water, and many were now full. South: Conditions improved as areas received 0.4-14 inches across the district. Soil moisture levels improved significantly. Rainfall also improved grass growth, and fieldwork resumed in many areas. Standing water was in some fields and pastures. Crop damage in low-lying areas may occur if waters do not recede soon. Temperatures were moderate with cooler mornings, and forecasts called for above-average chances of rain for April. Strawberry harvest was in full swing. Row crop farmers were expected to finish planting as soon as possible. Leafy greens were still being harvested. All corn and sorghum were planted, and most cotton acres had been planted. Citrus and vegetable harvests came to a halt due to rainfall. Sesame planting should resume late next week. Hay producers were cultivating their fields and were expected to plant haygrazer. Some hay producers should have their first cutting soon. Rangeland conditions should improve as well. Fewer cattle were expected to be sold at the auction barns because of the rains, but local beef cattle markets offered above-average volumes this week with strong prices for all classes. Cattle feed supplementation continued, and livestock were in good conditions. Feed prices remained high. Summary of Impacts Fire Hazard Impacts Moderate fire danger as of March 7, 2025 Very High to Extreme fire danger for March 8, 2025 Very High fire danger for March 9, 2025 Moderate fire danger for March 10, 2025 Other Impacts Corpus Christi under stage 3 water restrictions (https://www.cctexas.com/) Portland under stage 3 water restrictions (https://www.portlandtx.com/399/Drought-Management-Plan) Laredo under stage 2 water restrictions (https://laredoutilities.com/water-conservation-program/) Alice under stage 2 restrictions (https://www.alicetx.com/2024/03/11/city-of-alice-enters-stage-2-moderate-drought-restriction/#/) Bishop under stage 1 water restrictions (https://southtexascommunitynews.com/stcn/bishop-under-stage-2-water-restrictions#gsc.tab=0) Rockport under stage 3 water restrictions (https://www.rockporttx.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3440) Other South Texas communities under restrictions can be found here Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. USGS 7-Day Avg Streamflow | Texas Reservoirs Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Flows are mostly normal to above normal across much of the region. Portions of the Coastal Plains and the Nueces and Frio rivers remain below to much below normal. Reservoir Pool Elevation (ft) Current Elevation (ft) Choke Canyon. 220.5 186.12 Lake Corpus Christi 94.0 80.62 Lake Texana 44.0 40.65 Coleto Creek 98.0 96.54 Canyon Lake 909.0 878.54 Lake Amistad 1117.0 1050.80 Reservoir values as of April 6, 2025 Soil Moisture | Crop Moisture Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is near normal to slightly below normal across the region. Crop moisture remains severely dry across South Texas Fire Hazard Impacts Burn Bans in place across most of South Texas Normal significant wildfire potential through May Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Up to around 0.1” of rain is forecast over the next 7 days across eastern portions of South Texas. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Equal chances for above or below normal precipitation through April Greater chances for above normal temperatures through April Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to improve across most of the region; except for western most counties where drought conditions are expected to persist.