For the first time in 19 weeks, the entire area of Casey County is no longer considered to be in any level of drought.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the period of “abnormally dry” conditions ended last week. Prior to that, the county’s drought severity was rated as high as “extreme drought.” Extreme drought is just one step away from the monitor’s highest drought classification, which is “exceptional drought.”
This most recent drought was the second longest in decades, eclipsed only by the 2023-2024 drought which lingered for two weeks longer. That drought lasted from Sept. 19, 2023 through Feb. 6, 2024. The 2023-2024 drought, however, was nowhere near as severe as this last one, as it never reached beyond being a “severe drought” into a “extreme drought.”
The Aug. 4 improvement in drought rating was due to an abnormally wet June and July. The two months were the wettest this year, much wetter than the incredibly dry spring. The two-month total, according to Kentucky Mesonet was 12.8 inches. The area had otherwise seen just 14 inches of rain from January through May. So far, through Aug. 8, the area has gotten 28 total inches for the year.
Even though the drought may be over, water continues to be a concern for local authorities. The lake began the year 10 feet below full, declined to 17.25 feet below full in late June, and has since risen to around 15 feet below full.
The situation would be much worse if it weren’t for a plan to bring water from the Green River to Lake Liberty through a pipeline. According to the city, the pipeline is bringing up to 800,000 gallons per day across a mile and a half of farmland and into the lake.
The water level at Lake Liberty is just a foot higher than it was when pumping began in mid-July, and is still much lower than it normally has been in the lake’s 50-year history.
In a weekly water update, the City of Liberty said that the pipeline was never meant to fill the lake, but instead was meant to offset regular use to help ease pressure on the water supply.
“While that is encouraging progress, at 15.5 feet below full pool, the lake remains at a critical level and conservation is still extremely important. We continue pumping from Green River around the clock, bringing in approximately 700,000 to 800,000 gallons per day. Pumping was never intended to refill the lake but is offsetting some of our daily usage,” said Felicia Whitis, city spokesperson.
The City of Liberty is asking for continued conservation, which has made a tremendous difference in ensuring that water will continue to be available for now.
“Thank you to everyone who continues to do their part to conserve. It does make a difference,” said Whitis.
