Counties with the worst droughts in Wyoming

Written by:
October 28, 2024
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Counties with the worst droughts in Wyoming

Nearly half 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. Wyoming and Delaware are currently the states with the most widespread drought, covering all of the states' areas.

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 Wyoming with the worst droughts as of October 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.

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Emma Rubin // Stacker

Wyoming statistics

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0% (#1 nationally, tie)
--- Moderate drought: 41.9%
--- Severe drought: 32.8%
--- Extreme drought: 24.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.8%
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Uinta 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%
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Sweetwater 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%
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Carbon County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 96.9%
--- Severe drought: 3.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Michele Vacchiano // Shutterstock

Lincoln County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 74.9%
--- Severe drought: 25.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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melissamn // Shutterstock

Hot Springs County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 32.3%
--- Severe drought: 67.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Laramie County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 29.3%
--- Severe drought: 70.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Washakie County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 7.8%
--- Severe drought: 92.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Alberto Loyo // Shutterstock

Big Horn County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 47.7%
--- Severe drought: 52.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.1%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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davidrh // Shutterstock

Park County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 65.4%
--- Severe drought: 34.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Sublette County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 78.7%
--- Severe drought: 20.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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sean_in_307 // Shutterstock

Fremont County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 18.8%
--- Severe drought: 77.2%
--- Extreme drought: 4.1%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Albany County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 32.1%
--- Severe drought: 57.5%
--- Extreme drought: 10.3%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Natrona County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 9.7%
--- Severe drought: 74.7%
--- Extreme drought: 15.6%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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C Rolan // Shutterstock

Teton County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 39.8%
--- Severe drought: 43.5%
--- Extreme drought: 16.8%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Zack Frank // Shutterstock

Crook County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 12.2%
--- Severe drought: 37.6%
--- Extreme drought: 50.2%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Sheridan County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 15.4%
--- Severe drought: 28.7%
--- Extreme drought: 55.9%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Johnson County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 34.6%
--- Extreme drought: 65.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Goshen County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.3%
--- Severe drought: 21.2%
--- Extreme drought: 78.6%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Platte County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 8.2%
--- Extreme drought: 91.8%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Niobrara County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 99.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.6%
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Converse County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 20.0%
--- Extreme drought: 79.3%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.7%
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Campbell County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 94.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 5.6%
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Steve Cukrov // Shutterstock

Weston County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 9.4%
--- Extreme drought: 70.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 20.0%

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.

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