Illinois drought worsens
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Isabel posted this story earlier today…
Sullivan joins Decatur in asking residents to conserve water during the ongoing drought in Central Illinois.
The drought began in August. Now in mid-January, it still looks as if it won’t end anytime soon.
“We were, I believe in Decatur, about 12 inches below average for the year [2025)],” said WAND News Meteorologist Nick Patrick. “It was worse in Springfield and Champaign. They’re almost 20 inches below the average. That’s a huge departure. We need a lot of rain to make up for that this year.”
I can see out my window that Lake Springfield water levels are very low.
* From the Washington Post…
More than two-thirds of the country is facing unusual dryness or drought, stretching from the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast, touching every state except California. The stretch since July has been the driest period nationally since 2012.
Check out the drought map…
Click here for an interactive Illinois county map. It appears that ten counties are at least partially within the “Extreme Drought” area. Several more are in “Severe Drought” areas.
If you click here and scroll down and then compare it to the first map posted above, you can see how the drought has spread here since the fall.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:06 pm:
2012 was a very dry year. Not good news.
- InIllinois - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:12 pm:
I was hoping the snow and subsequent melting would help, guess not. Don’t worry I’m sure those data centers they are considering in places like Sangamon & Moultrie will do wonders for the water supply.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:17 pm:
Great, I was seriously considering buying a boat this year.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:22 pm:
The Vermilion River, going through Streator, is down but far from as low as I’ve seen in in past droughts.
So far this winter we haven’t had a lot of snow, and I’m not fond of it.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:25 pm:
===I was seriously considering buying a boat this year===
On the bright side, you might get a discount.
- Think again - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
=I can see out my window that Lake Springfield water levels are very low=
Same for Lake Bloomington
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-01-02/bloomington-requests-voluntary-water-conservation-during-severe-drought
- Lefty Lefty - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:32 pm:
To flesh this out a little further, even if precipitation returns to normalish, the nature of climate change creates more infrequent, more intense storms. The result is more surface runoff and less infiltration. The effect is a more temporary return to decent surface water levels and less recharge to aquifers.
So - don’t waste water. Ever. It’s precious.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 1:32 pm:
- On the bright side, you might get a discount. -
Heh, good point. With 2 toddlers I doubt it sees much use this year anyway.
- Walker - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 2:14 pm:
Not sure what this will mean for 2026.
In 2025 Illinois corn production set records, and beans were stronger, and more profitable than expected despite a chaotic internaitioonalk market environment..
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 2:33 pm:
I have rain barrels–yes, plural. I can fill up 200 gallons with about 2 inches of rain. Keeps my garden happy and I’m using free water. Oh, if you’re in Springfield, CWLP will give you a small rebate if you buy a rain barrel. I’m sure other cities probably do the same
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 2:50 pm:
Using trees to track past drought events- https://www.southernminn.com/around_the_web/community/tree-rings-may-reveal-hidden-clues-about-water-history/article_e3306611-b776-5bd3-8a92-b1c445f35ab5.html
https://originals.azpm.org/p/radio-azscience/2025/11/10/227200-tracking-drought-patterns-via-the-jet-stream-using-tree-rings/
Other information: https://www.drought.gov/watersheds/mississippi-river-dashboard
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 3:45 pm:
when you plant your garden this year, besides vegetables DO NOT plant annuals in the ground. in fact, don’t plant perennials unless they are native plants. those can stabilize and require no water after 2-3 years. and don’t water your lawn, unless you put chemicals on your lawn which you should also not do. the more native plants you can put on your property and permeable hardscape, the less you water, the more water gets to the ground. we all have to play a part.
- Leslie K - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 6:44 pm:
Good reminders, Amalia. Thank you.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Jan 20, 26 @ 10:47 pm:
My farm pond is down about 2 feet from a year ago. 2025 was an odd year, very little wind and a drought. 2026 isn’t looking any better.