Counties with the worst droughts in Kansas
Over one-third of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Storms during this past winter brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. West Virginia is currently the state with the most widespread drought, covering all of the state's area.
In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk.
Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios, much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.
Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Kansas with the worst droughts as of Sept. 24, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. "Abnormally dry" is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
Kansas statistics
- Area in drought: 46.4% (#11 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 40.5%
--- Severe drought: 5.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Shawnee County
- Area in drought: 94.6%
--- Moderate drought: 94.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Montgomery County
- Area in drought: 96.5%
--- Moderate drought: 46.8%
--- Severe drought: 49.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Thomas County
- Area in drought: 96.6%
--- Moderate drought: 45.2%
--- Severe drought: 51.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sumner County
- Area in drought: 96.8%
--- Moderate drought: 78.1%
--- Severe drought: 18.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Rush County
- Area in drought: 97.1%
--- Moderate drought: 97.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Wyandotte County
- Area in drought: 98.8%
--- Moderate drought: 98.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Smith County
- Area in drought: 99.3%
--- Moderate drought: 99.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Mitchell County
- Area in drought: 99.7%
--- Moderate drought: 97.8%
--- Severe drought: 1.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Russell County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Rooks County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Osborne County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Nemaha County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Kingman County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Harper County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Ellis County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Clay County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Barton County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Marshall County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Chautauqua County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 87.8%
--- Severe drought: 12.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Labette County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 87.3%
--- Severe drought: 12.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Cloud County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 74.3%
--- Severe drought: 25.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Washington County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 66.8%
--- Severe drought: 33.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Jewell County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 38.6%
--- Severe drought: 61.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Republic County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.6%
--- Severe drought: 99.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Cherokee County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.4%
--- Severe drought: 99.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 45 states.