CAPTION: CREDIT K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
By Michael Glenn
While Reno County has seen an unusually wet November with 3.66 inches of precipitation so far, the large amount of rain has not calmed drought concerns throughout the area.
That’s according to the K-State Research and Extension office in Reno County. Horticulture Agent Pam Paulsen said while the recent rain helped with drought concerns, it’s not enough to bring the area back to normal conditions.
“The ground was dry and absorbed most of it,” Paulsen said. “It will help with the drought, but we are certainly not out of the drought since it’s a long-term issue. I think it’s still important to be conscious on how we use water.”
Paulsen said trees have also suffered from the lack of precipitation.
“This will help plants going into the wintertime,” Paulsen said. “Our weather seems like we get big rains and then long periods of dryness. For it to really relieve the drought, we need more consistent rainfall rather than a large amount here and then a long period without.”
The recent precipitation will also help fill Kansas’ main aquifer, the Ogallala Aquifer.
“We get some cooler rains in September, but we haven’t had the snowfall like we used to in past years,” Paulsen said. “That has taken out some of the moisture we got during the winter time.”
Paulsen said recently planted wheat will also benefit from the recent rainfall.
