The lush green fields and lawns of Pierce County have been replaced by dusty, dry brown vegetation this summer thanks to little rainfall.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is a map that shows the location and intensity of drought across the country, Pierce County falls into two drought categories as of Sept. 3, 2026.

The data is updated each Tuesday and released on Thursday:

• 82% is classified as D2 – Severe Drought, which means crop or pasture loss is likely, water shortages are common and water restrictions imposed
• 18% is labeled as D3 – Extreme Drought, with major crop/pasture losses expected and widespread water shortage or restrictions.

This makes Pierce County one of the driest counties in the state, behind counties in the northwestern portion of Wisconsin. Neighboring Dunn and St. Croix counties are listed as 100% D2, while Pepin is 99.96% D2 and .04% D3.

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, Pierce County rain totals are as follows:

• April 2026: 3.84 inches (near normal)
• May 2026: 1.24 inches (well below normal)
• June 2026: 3.53 inches (fairly average/slightly dry)
• July 2026: 1.1 inches (severely dry)
• August 2026: 2.8 inches (most of which came in a couple of late month storms).

A drought index combines multiple drought indicators such as precipitation, temperature and soil moisture to depict drought conditions. For some products, like the U.S. Drought Monitor, authors combine their analysis of drought indicators with input from local observers. Other drought indices, like the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), use an objective calculation to describe the severity, location, timing, and/or duration of drought. 

Periods of drought can lead to inadequate water supply, threatening the health, safety, and welfare of communities. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, streamflow, groundwater, reservoir, and snowpack data are key to monitoring and forecasting water supply.

Drought can also reduce the water availability and water quality necessary for productive farms, ranches, and grazing lands, resulting in significant negative direct and indirect economic impacts to the agricultural sector. Monitoring agricultural drought typically focuses on examining levels of precipitation, evaporative demand, soil moisture, and surface/groundwater quantity and quality, according to UW-Madison Extension.

The Crops and Soils Division of Extension publishes a weekly report called “Ag Weather Outlook for Wisconsin” to provide ag advisors, conservation staff, and farmers with relevant up-to-date Wisconsin climate information and link it to impacts on Wisconsin agriculture. The goal is to help farmers make well-informed decisions based on the current and forecasted conditions in their area, their website states. The Sept. 3 report said “a small percentage of the state’s soybean crop has begun dropping leaves, and the corn kernels are denting across many Wisconsin fields. The continued dryness once again caused the corn and soybean conditions to decrease.”

Weatherman Chase, a Facebook page that provides statewide weather forecasts, updates and reports, said the rain that fell Sept. 3 and 4 helped somewhat, but not enough.

“However, when we are in this kind of drought, multiple inches is going to need to fall over an extended period of time for this deficit to be made up,” he said. “Not just an inch or two in under an hour. Keep praying for rain, but the slower and steadier, the better. It needs to all have time to soak in, not just act as runoff.”

According to an article published by Successful Farming, St. Croix County farmer Brent Wink thought this year’s corn crop had the potential to be the best ever. However, the rain quit falling after Fourth of July and the temperatures soared. He told the publication he expects harvest is roughly two weeks ahead of schedule in his area.

Apple Tree Farm, located off Highway 65 south of River Falls, has been keeping customers apprised of drought conditions on its Facebook page.

“Without rainfall, there is less water soaking into the ground to recharge the aquifers where our water comes from. 100% of Pierce County’s drinking water comes from groundwater right beneath our feet,” they wrote Aug. 28.

They also offered the following tips:

• Let your lawn go dormant. It will recover when conditions improve.
• Skip unnecessary outdoor water use. Every little bit helps.
• Run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
• When rain does come, let it soak in. Keep rainwater on your property whenever possible instead of sending it down the driveway or street.
• Support local farmers. Drought can mean smaller produce, lower yields or crops that don't look quite as perfect as usual. But imperfect doesn't mean it isn't delicious—or that it wasn't grown with a whole lot of love.

In late July, the City of River Falls reminded residents to follow the city’s watering restrictions, which are in effect from May 1-Sept. 30. Sprinkling times are before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Odd-numbered street addresses can water on odd-numbered days. Even-numbered street addresses can water on even-numbered days.

“These restrictions help reduce peak water demand and ensure a reliable water supply for everyone,” the city stated.

What does the Old Farmer’s Almanac have to say about fall weather predictions?

Sept. 1-6: Sunny, turning very warm

Sept. 7-10: A few showers, chilly

Sept. 11-16: Sunny, then showers, cool

September averages: Temperature 57 degrees (2 degrees below average), with 3- to 5-inches of precipitation (1/2 inch above average

Oct. 1-6: Sunny, cool east; showers, mild west

Oct. 7-17: Periods of rain and snow, quite chilly

Oct. 18-27: Sunny, turning warm

Oct. 28-31: Ran and snow showers, mild

October averages: Temperature 48 degrees (1 degree above average), with 1.5 inches of precipitation (1 inch below average)