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.
Wyoming statistics
- Area in drought: 100.0% (#1 nationally, tie)
--- Moderate drought: 41.9%
--- Severe drought: 32.8%
--- Extreme drought: 24.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.8%
Uinta County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sweetwater County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Carbon County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 96.9%
--- Severe drought: 3.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Lincoln County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 74.9%
--- Severe drought: 25.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Hot Springs County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 32.3%
--- Severe drought: 67.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Laramie County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 29.3%
--- Severe drought: 70.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Washakie County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 7.8%
--- Severe drought: 92.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Big Horn County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 47.7%
--- Severe drought: 52.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.1%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Park County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 65.4%
--- Severe drought: 34.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sublette County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 78.7%
--- Severe drought: 20.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Fremont County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 18.8%
--- Severe drought: 77.2%
--- Extreme drought: 4.1%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Albany County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 32.1%
--- Severe drought: 57.5%
--- Extreme drought: 10.3%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Natrona County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 9.7%
--- Severe drought: 74.7%
--- Extreme drought: 15.6%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Teton County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 39.8%
--- Severe drought: 43.5%
--- Extreme drought: 16.8%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Crook County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 12.2%
--- Severe drought: 37.6%
--- Extreme drought: 50.2%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sheridan County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 15.4%
--- Severe drought: 28.7%
--- Extreme drought: 55.9%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Johnson County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 34.6%
--- Extreme drought: 65.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Goshen County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.3%
--- Severe drought: 21.2%
--- Extreme drought: 78.6%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Platte County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 8.2%
--- Extreme drought: 91.8%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Niobrara County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 99.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.6%
Converse County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 20.0%
--- Extreme drought: 79.3%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.7%
Campbell County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 94.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 5.6%
Weston County
- 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.