Drought Information Statement for Central and Southeast Illinois
Valid March 6, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Lincoln, IL
Contact Information: nws.lincoln@noaa.gov
This product will be updated around March 12, 2026 if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ilx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Key Messages:
Recent Precipitation: Southern portions of central IL saw heavy rain in the past week, while northern areas have yet to see significant amounts. This rainfall will likely have impacts on drought in the upcoming week.
Improvement Possible: Recent and forecast precipitation could result in improving drought conditions, especially if wet weather persists.
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U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): None

D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of east-central Illinois including DeWitt, Macon, Piatt, Douglas, Moultrie, Coles, Edgar, Champaign, and Vermilion Counties, and parts of McLean, Logan, Sangamon, and Clark Counties.

D2 (Severe Drought): Most areas west of I-55, Christian, Effingham, Shelby, and Cumberland Counties.

D1 (Moderate Drought): Parts of Knox, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence Counties.

D0: (Abnormally Dry): None
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Precipitation
Over the past 30 days, precipitation has been above normal in southern portions of central IL, and below normal in northern portions. Heavy rainfall responsible for above normal areas came from multiple days of rainfall starting Tuesday March 3, and will likely influence drought category this upcoming week.

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Streamflow is much below normal for most rivers in central parts of the state (less than 10 percent of normal), including a few streams reporting all-time low flow for the date. 
Lake Decatur is reported to be about 3.0 feet below normal. Lake Springfield is about 2 feet below normal.

Agricultural Impacts
No recent impacts reported in the past week. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
No recent impacts.

Other Impacts
Natural water sources and creeks have dried up, ponds are very low in northern parts of central IL. 
Soil moisture remains low to record low at deep levels in northern parts of central IL. Water tables are near record low levels.
The town of Sullivan declared a water emergency on February 11th due to ongoing drought and a reduced water supply. Restrictions on non-essential water use are in effect until June 1st, and residents are urged to conserve water.

Mitigation Actions
Voluntary Stage 1 water rationing is in effect in Decatur.
Voluntary water conservation requested in Bloomington.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts

Image Caption: USGS average streamflow 
valid March 6, 2026
Streamflows remain much below normal in northern parts of central IL, but are normal to much above normal in southern portions in response to recent rainfall.
All-time low flow for the date is reported for a few locations in northern parts of central IL.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Another week of beneficial rainfall is expected during the week of March 6-13.

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Above normal precipitation is favored (40-50% chance) for most of central and southeast IL for March. 

Above normal temperatures are favored (40% to 50% chance) across central IL for March.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought is forecast to improve or end across the area through the end of May.