Counties with the worst droughts in Montana
About 14% of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Winter storms brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. New Mexico currently is the state with the highest drought level, covering about 74% of the state's area.
In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk.
Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios, much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.
Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Montana with the worst droughts as of May 14, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. "Abnormally dry" is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
Montana statistics
- Abnormally dry: 22.5%
- Area in drought: 38.8% (#3 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 29.5%
--- Severe drought: 7.9%
--- Extreme drought: 1.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Dawson County
- Abnormally dry: 33.9%
- Area in drought: 46.8%
--- Moderate drought: 46.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Powder River County
- Abnormally dry: 51.1%
- Area in drought: 47.5%
--- Moderate drought: 47.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Big Horn County
- Abnormally dry: 30.2%
- Area in drought: 49.1%
--- Moderate drought: 49.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Madison County
- Abnormally dry: 47.9%
- Area in drought: 52.1%
--- Moderate drought: 43.5%
--- Severe drought: 8.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Teton County
- Abnormally dry: 37.5%
- Area in drought: 56.5%
--- Moderate drought: 41.6%
--- Severe drought: 12.5%
--- Extreme drought: 2.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Beaverhead County
- Abnormally dry: 36.3%
- Area in drought: 63.7%
--- Moderate drought: 57.2%
--- Severe drought: 6.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Gallatin County
- Abnormally dry: 23.3%
- Area in drought: 76.7%
--- Moderate drought: 63.3%
--- Severe drought: 13.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Broadwater County
- Abnormally dry: 20.3%
- Area in drought: 79.7%
--- Moderate drought: 77.4%
--- Severe drought: 2.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Jefferson County
- Abnormally dry: 19.5%
- Area in drought: 80.5%
--- Moderate drought: 80.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Lake County
- Abnormally dry: 18.2%
- Area in drought: 81.8%
--- Moderate drought: 81.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Flathead County
- Abnormally dry: 16.3%
- Area in drought: 83.7%
--- Moderate drought: 23.0%
--- Severe drought: 35.9%
--- Extreme drought: 24.8%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Carter County
- Abnormally dry: 15.6%
- Area in drought: 83.8%
--- Moderate drought: 83.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Lewis and Clark County
- Abnormally dry: 12.7%
- Area in drought: 87.3%
--- Moderate drought: 54.8%
--- Severe drought: 30.9%
--- Extreme drought: 1.6%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Silver Bow County
- Abnormally dry: 3.9%
- Area in drought: 96.1%
--- Moderate drought: 96.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sanders County
- Abnormally dry: 2.5%
- Area in drought: 97.5%
--- Moderate drought: 86.0%
--- Severe drought: 11.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Wibaux County
- Abnormally dry: 1.9%
- Area in drought: 98.1%
--- Moderate drought: 98.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Park County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 94.7%
--- Severe drought: 5.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Fallon County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Missoula County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 71.5%
--- Severe drought: 28.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Ravalli County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 65.8%
--- Severe drought: 34.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Granite County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 39.2%
--- Severe drought: 60.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Deer Lodge County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 28.7%
--- Severe drought: 71.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Powell County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 15.3%
--- Severe drought: 84.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Meagher County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 72.3%
--- Severe drought: 22.6%
--- Extreme drought: 5.2%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Mineral County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 80.1%
--- Severe drought: 10.6%
--- Extreme drought: 9.3%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 23 states.
