Drought Information Statement for Eastern Oklahoma and Northwestern Arkansas
Valid March 30, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Tulsa, OK
Contact Information: sr-tsa.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated May 1, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/tsa/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Drought conditions continue across most of eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas
Extreme (D3) Drought is occurring in parts of Delaware, Mayes, Wagoner, Cherokee, and Choctaw Counties in eastern OKlahoma and Benton County in northwestern Arkansas
Several rounds of rain are expected during the upcoming week.
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U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): none
D3 (Extreme Drought): Delaware, Mayes, Wagoner, Cherokee, Choctaw, and Benton Counties
D2 (Severe Drought): Ottawa, Craig, Nowata, Rogers, Mayes, Delaware, Adair, Cherokee, Wagoner, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Tulsa, Creek, Pawnee, Osage, Washington OK, McIntosh, Pittsburg, Choctaw, Pushmataha, Benton, Carroll, Washington AR, Madison, Crawford, and Franklin Counties
D1 (Moderate Drought): Osage, Creek, Tulsa, Rogers, Mayes, Craig, Delaware, Ottawa, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Okfuskee, McIntosh, Pittsburg, Haskell, Cherokee, Adair, Sequoyah, Le Flore, Latimer, Pushmataha, Choctaw, Benton, Carroll, Madison, Washington AR, Crawford, Sebastian, and Franklin Counties
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Pittsburg, Latimer, Le Flore, and Pushmataha Counties
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Precipitation
Over the last 30 days (ending at 7 am CDT Mar. 30, 2026), rainfall totals have ranged from 0.25” to 6.5”, which corresponds to 10% to 175% of normal
A large portion of eastern OK and northwestern AR has received less than 75% of the normal precipitation

Over the last 60 days (ending at 7 am CDT Mar. 30, 2026), rainfall totals have ranged from 0.50” to 9.5”, which corresponds to 10%-130% of normal.
Much of the area has received less than 70% of the normal precipitation.

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Summary of Impacts
See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Hydrologic Impacts 
The current streamflow in numerous rivers in the Arkansas River, Red River, and White River basins were much below normal as of March 30, 2026 according to the USGS.
5 USACE reservoirs in eastern OK and northwestern AR were below 3% of the top of their conservation pools as of March 30, 2026 

Agricultural Impacts
Poor pasture conditions and low ponds are affecting livestock 

Fire Hazard Impacts
Burn bans were in effect for several counties in northeast OK and northwest AR.
Continued above normal fire occurrence and fire intensity was observed across the region due to the state of fuels and favorable fire weather conditions.

Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time

Mitigation Actions
None reported

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
The 3/30/2026 USGS streamflow (image on the right) for nearly all rivers were Below to Much Below Normal across eastern OK and northwest AR.

River gages with Much Below Normal (less than 10% percentile) or All-Time Low streamflows:
Arkansas River at Ralston, OK and near Muskogee, OK
Tar Creek near Commerce, OK and at Miami, OK
Neosho River near Chouteau, OK
Big Cabin Creek near Big Cabin, OK
Caney River near Ramona, OK
Joe Creek at Tulsa, OK
Haikey Creek at Tulsa, OK (all-time low)
Illinois River at Savoy, AR, near Siloam Springs, OK and near Gore, OK
Baron Fork at Dutch Mills, AR and at Eldon, OK
Kings River near Berryville, AR
West Fork of the White River near Fayetteville, AR
White River near Fayetteville, AR
Little Lee Creek near Nicut, OK and Lee Creek near Short, OK
James Fork near Hackett, AR
Bird Creek at Avant, OK (all-time low)
Coal Creek at Tulsa, OK
Caney Creek near Barber, OK
Yocum Creek near Oak Grove, AR
Fourche Maline near Red Oak, OK
Poteau River near Loving, OK
Black Fork near Page, OK
Kiamichi River near Clayton, OK and near Antlers, OK
Red River at Arthur City, TX (all-time low)
Fog Bayou at Winfrey, AR (all-time low)
Mulberry River near Mulberry, AR
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Agricultural Impacts
March reports from producers in northwest AR indicate that pastures are in very poor conditions, requiring supplemental feeding for livestock.
Delayed planting and delayed fertilization of crops already planted.
Little to no growth of forage and vegetation crops

These producers are also reporting less water in ponds, creeks, wells, and soil.
Several reports of ponds well below normal for the end of March
Some reports of weeds growing in ponds, with scum on top of the minimal water that is present.
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Fire Hazard Impacts
Eastern Oklahoma Burn Bans in effect as of 3/30/26: 
Adair, Nowata, and Washington Counties

Northwestern Arkansas Burn Bans in effect as of 3/30/26: 
Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll Counties

Drought has led to very dry and high loading of fuels, worsening fire behavior.
Continued above normal fire occurrence and fire intensity was observed across the region due to the state of fuels and favorable fire weather conditions.
The fire environment across the area northwest of I-44 and west of Hwy 75 is primed for a continuation of above normal fire occurrence and fire intensity, especially during periods of elevated or higher fire weather


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Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
A chance for showers and thunderstorms returns to the region on the evening of March 31st and continues through April 4. 

Showers and thunderstorms are most likely to occur (60% - 90% chance) from the evening of April 1 through the evening of April 2 and from the evening of April 3 through the afternoon of April 4.

2” to 4” of total rainfall is currently forecast over the next 7 days (through April 5, 2026).


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Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
There is an enhanced chance for above median precipitation across nearly all of eastern OK and northwestern AR for April and an equal chance for above, near, or below median precipitation for the April-June season.

There is an enhanced chance for above normal temperatures across all of eastern OK and northwestern AR for April and for the April-June season.
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Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
The Seasonal Drought Outlook for March 19 - June 30, 2026:

Drought is expected to persist in Osage, Pawnee, Creek, and Okfuskee Counties in northeastern Oklahoma.

Drought is expected to improve or end across the remainder of eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas.
 
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