About - Drought
Drought in the Southwest
Prolonged dry conditions are a natural part of life in the Southwest. Past records from tree-rings indicate that the Southwest has experienced protracted periods of drought that may have lasted longer than any droughts of the historical period. Persistent droughts can cause economic losses to agriculture, ranching, industry and many other sectors. Because of recurring drought, many efforts have been made to minimize its impacts on human activity. The reservoirs along the Colorado River, for example, can store about four years of water supply to buffer the effect of several consecutive years of below-average streamflows. However, some sectors are more vulnerable to drought than others. Summer grasses, for example, are an important source of that fodder for livestock. These grasslands are generally not irrigated so drought conditions during their growing season can lead to a lack of food for grazing animals.
Percent Average Precipitation - June July August - New Mexico Climate Division 5