Counties with the worst droughts in Wisconsin
About 17% of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Winter storms 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. New Mexico currently is the state with the highest drought level, covering nearly 75% 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 Wisconsin with the worst droughts in the week leading up to April 9, 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 which are not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
Wisconsin statistics
- Abnormally dry: 46.7%
- Area in drought: 28.4% (#9 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 22.6%
--- Severe drought: 5.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Marinette County
- Abnormally dry: 64.6%
- Area in drought: 23.9%
--- Moderate drought: 23.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Waushara County
- Abnormally dry: 69.8%
- Area in drought: 30.2%
--- Moderate drought: 30.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Langlade County
- Abnormally dry: 66.5%
- Area in drought: 33.5%
--- Moderate drought: 33.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
La Crosse County
- Abnormally dry: 66.1%
- Area in drought: 33.9%
--- Moderate drought: 33.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Grant County
- Abnormally dry: 26.6%
- Area in drought: 38.6%
--- Moderate drought: 28.1%
--- Severe drought: 10.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Monroe County
- Abnormally dry: 52.9%
- Area in drought: 47.1%
--- Moderate drought: 47.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Lincoln County
- Abnormally dry: 52.8%
- Area in drought: 47.2%
--- Moderate drought: 47.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Green Lake County
- Abnormally dry: 48.5%
- Area in drought: 51.5%
--- Moderate drought: 51.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Columbia County
- Abnormally dry: 38.9%
- Area in drought: 57.8%
--- Moderate drought: 36.8%
--- Severe drought: 21.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Juneau County
- Abnormally dry: 38.5%
- Area in drought: 61.5%
--- Moderate drought: 29.2%
--- Severe drought: 32.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Bayfield County
- Abnormally dry: 36.2%
- Area in drought: 63.8%
--- Moderate drought: 63.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Adams County
- Abnormally dry: 35.9%
- Area in drought: 64.1%
--- Moderate drought: 39.4%
--- Severe drought: 24.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sawyer County
- Abnormally dry: 35.3%
- Area in drought: 64.7%
--- Moderate drought: 64.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Price County
- Abnormally dry: 25.3%
- Area in drought: 74.7%
--- Moderate drought: 74.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Forest County
- Abnormally dry: 3.8%
- Area in drought: 96.2%
--- Moderate drought: 96.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Ashland County
- Abnormally dry: 3.0%
- Area in drought: 97.0%
--- Moderate drought: 86.5%
--- Severe drought: 10.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Oneida County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Florence County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Vernon County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 91.6%
--- Severe drought: 8.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Marquette County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 76.6%
--- Severe drought: 23.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Vilas County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 73.8%
--- Severe drought: 26.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Crawford County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 72.4%
--- Severe drought: 27.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Richland County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 39.7%
--- Severe drought: 60.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Iron County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 16.4%
--- Severe drought: 83.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sauk County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 7.7%
--- Severe drought: 92.3%
--- 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 28 states.
