Kansas Governor Sam Brownback says drought conditions continue, and are getting worse across the state. On Wednesday Brownback updated the Drought Declaration for Kansas to include all 105 counties in an emergency status.

“While reservoirs and cities have been able to meet their communities’ needs so far, it is imperative citizens conserve water in every way they can,” Governor Brownback said.

“Drought outlook indicates conditions are expected to continue or intensify for the state and we need increased cooperation going forward.”

The updated drought declaration has all 105 counties in an emergency status. This status triggers special water-use rules at state fishing lakes. The Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism are expected to issue a Memorandum of Understanding for emergency use of state fishing lake storage under conditions of drought emergency declared by the Governor.

This action was recommended by Tracy Streeter, Director of the KWO and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.