BOZEMAN — Two areas in northern Montana are in moderate drought condition, with the rest of the state seeing near normal precipitation.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows Phillips and Blaine counties in north-central Montana and Lincoln County in northwestern Montana as having moderate drought conditions. Valley, Daniels and Roosevelt counties are considered abnormally dry as of July 10.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports Michael Downey with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation told the legislature’s Water Policy Interim Committee on Monday that things are much better than a year ago, when most of the eastern side of the state was experiencing at least moderate drought. Twelve counties in northeastern Montana were considered in extreme drought and eventually ended up in exceptional drought.
This year, much of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico are seeing extreme to exceptional drought.