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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Idaho

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Idaho using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Idaho. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Irrigation demand is higher than normal
  • Ski areas open later; visitation is lower; snowpack is lower
97.7
of ID
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Dryland hay and grain crop yields are low; other crops and pasture are in poor condition
  • Well levels decline; reservoir levels are low; water shortages occur; water conservation programs are in place
  • Fire risk is elevated; fires spread easily
73.3
of ID
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Grazing season is shortened; vegetation is sparse; crops are left unharvested; feedlots are not profitable
  • River levels are very low
  • Hydroelectric power is down; irrigation water allotments are significantly curtailed
3.1
of ID
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Dryland farms are left fallow; forage is limited; cattle herds are cut
  • Spring snowpack is very low
  • Number of fires increase
0.0
of ID
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Fire danger is high
  • Hydropower generation is affected; power companies may raise rates and/or purchase alternative power
  • Trees are stressed and threatened by insect infestation; fish and wildlife populations decrease; habitats are degraded
0.0
of ID
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Irrigation demand is higher than normal
  • Ski areas open later; visitation is lower; snowpack is lower
97.7
of ID
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Dryland hay and grain crop yields are low; other crops and pasture are in poor condition
  • Well levels decline; reservoir levels are low; water shortages occur; water conservation programs are in place
  • Fire risk is elevated; fires spread easily
76.3
of ID
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Grazing season is shortened; vegetation is sparse; crops are left unharvested; feedlots are not profitable
  • River levels are very low
  • Hydroelectric power is down; irrigation water allotments are significantly curtailed
12.1
of ID
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Dryland farms are left fallow; forage is limited; cattle herds are cut
  • Spring snowpack is very low
  • Number of fires increase
0.0
of ID
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Fire danger is high
  • Hydropower generation is affected; power companies may raise rates and/or purchase alternative power
  • Trees are stressed and threatened by insect infestation; fish and wildlife populations decrease; habitats are degraded
0.0
of ID
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Irrigation demand is higher than normal
  • Ski areas open later; visitation is lower; snowpack is lower
97.7
of ID
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Dryland hay and grain crop yields are low; other crops and pasture are in poor condition
  • Well levels decline; reservoir levels are low; water shortages occur; water conservation programs are in place
  • Fire risk is elevated; fires spread easily
79.5
of ID
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Grazing season is shortened; vegetation is sparse; crops are left unharvested; feedlots are not profitable
  • River levels are very low
  • Hydroelectric power is down; irrigation water allotments are significantly curtailed
12.1
of ID
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Dryland farms are left fallow; forage is limited; cattle herds are cut
  • Spring snowpack is very low
  • Number of fires increase
0.0
of ID
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Fire danger is high
  • Hydropower generation is affected; power companies may raise rates and/or purchase alternative power
  • Trees are stressed and threatened by insect infestation; fish and wildlife populations decrease; habitats are degraded
0.0
of ID
(D4)
780.2 Thousand
people in Idaho are affected by drought
30
counties with USDA disaster designations
22nd
driest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
22nd
driest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
View Conditions by County:

Drought in Idaho from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Idaho lasted 258 weeks beginning on January 30, 2001, and ending on January 3, 2006. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of December 23, 2003, where D4 affected 40.78% of Idaho land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to

Drought Resources for Idaho

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Regional Drought Status Updates
NIDIS & its partners issue regional updates covering drought conditions, outlooks/forecasts, and local impacts.

Pacific Northwest Drought Email List
Get regional drought status updates right to your inbox, as well as drought news, webinars, and other events for the Pacific Northwest.

Pacific Northwest DEWS Drought & Climate Outlook Webinars
These webinars provide the region with timely information on current and developing drought conditions, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña.

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.