Ohio River Drought – September 2025

The Ohio River Basin is experiencing extreme drought conditions, with widespread impacts on river flows, water supply, agriculture, and navigation.

Extent and Severity

As of September 18, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 72% of the Ohio River Basin is in Moderate to Extreme Drought (D1–D3), including pockets of Extreme Drought (D3) in eastern Ohio—a rarity with only two D3 events in the last 25 years.drought

Hydrologic Impacts

• The Ohio River is contributing only 8% of the Lower Mississippi River’s flow, down from its normal 50% contribution, severely reducing downstream water volumes.drought

• At Cairo, Illinois, the river stage has fallen below 10 feet and is forecast to remain under that threshold for at least 28 days, threatening navigation and ecosystem health.drought

Agricultural and Municipal Effects

• Precipitation over the past 30 days in the basin has been just 0–25% of normal, exacerbating soil moisture deficits and stressing crops and pastures.drought

• Livestock producers and rural well users report depleted groundwater supplies, with some springs and wells running dry last winter and slow recharge expected.wtov9

• Farm ponds are at historic lows, forcing increased water hauling and supplemental feeding for livestock.ocj

Navigation Restrictions

Persistent low water levels on the Ohio River have triggered U.S. Coast Guard navigation restrictions on the Mississippi River south of Cairo, IL:

• Maximum barge draft limited to 10 feet

• Tow widths restricted to six barges wide (normally eight)
  These measures aim to prevent grounding but further constrain commercial traffic.drought

Forecast and Outlook

• Above-normal temperatures are expected through the end of September, compounding drought severity and raising wildfire risk across the basin.drought

• Without significant rainfall, drought is projected to persist and expand through December 2025.drought

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The Ohio River’s unprecedented low flows and depleted groundwater recharge underscore the critical need for water-use restrictions, drought mitigation measures, and long-term resilience planning across agriculture, municipalities, and navigation sectors.

1. https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/drought-and-water-update-mississippi-river-basin-2025-09-18
2. https://wtov9.com/news/local/ohio-valley-farmers-brace-for-2025-planting-amid-lingering-drought-concerns
3. https://ocj.com/2025/09/drought-expands-some-relief-has-arrived/
4. https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/News/Announcements/Display/Article/3895758/ohio-river-low-water-conditions/
5. https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/News/Announcements/Display/Article/3943809/ohio-river-low-water-conditions-updated-november-7-2024/
6. https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/blogs/ag-weather-forum/blog-post/2025/02/06/moisture-reversal-eases-drought-ohio
7. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2025-32/title-drought-expands-%E2%80%93-some-relief-has-arrived
8. https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/gnuk2
9. https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/drought-status-update-midwest-2025-06-26
10. https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/drought-status-update-midwest-2025-09-04
11. https://www.weather.gov/lmrfc/obsfcst_mississippi
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7h9UJGjweM
13. https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/sdo_summary.php
14. https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/bevw2
15. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/us-drought-monthly-changes-and-impacts-august-2025
16. https://www.wskg.org/npr-climate-reporting/2025-09-26/the-ohio-river-basin-has-faced-environmental-setbacks-but-a-new-project-is-working-to-restore-it
17. https://climate.osu.edu/drought
18. https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu
19. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/shipping-challenges-on-the-rain-starved-mississippiagain
20. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/outdoors/2025/09/27/outdoors-drought-conditions-tough-on-everything-well-almost-everything/stories/20250928034