Ponds, streams lose water fast in high Ark. temps

With drought covering two-thirds of the nation, Blackmon is living in one of the hardest hit areas. Perry County, like much of Arkansas, is in an exceptional drought, the worst of four stages listed by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Most of the state is at an extreme risk of wildfires, and the Arkansas Forestry Commission sought help Tuesday from the Arkansas National Guard, which sent Black Hawk helicopters to help fight a fire at Mt. Riante. Officials statewide are keeping an eye on rivers and reservoirs, and farmers are doing their best to save livestock and crops amid extreme heat.

Still, Arkansas was slightly cooler than Monday, when Little Rock hit a record 111 degrees. The high Tuesday was 107. Pine Bluff reached 106 degrees and Harrison reached 100 degrees.

Blackmon, who has about 250 head of cattle, has already sold his calves. But he is more fortunate than some, with a flue on his property that will pull up some underground water if his ponds go dry. He was at a cattle sale barn Tuesday, and others "are liquidating cattle at farms that have been there a lifetime," he said.

"I pray for rain every day," Blackmon said. "You know what they say, 'Every day you get closer to the next rain.'"

Some chicken farmers also are running into water issues. Along with water for the birds to drink, many have cooling systems that use water to help keep the temperature down.

A poultry house with nearly mature birds can use 16 to 18 gallons per minute, said Susan Watkins, a professor and extension specialist at the University of Arkansas' Center for Poultry Excellence.

Multiply that by six to 10 houses and water usage can quickly add up," she said, although she noted some farmers may use less water at night, when the lights are out and the birds are sleeping.