{"id":571361,"date":"2026-10-08T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T04:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T14:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T04:01:00","slug":"fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=571361","title":{"rendered":"Fighting Drought in Texas\u00a0Cotton Country"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center 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Us<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/search\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Search<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-spacer\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module alignwide wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-before-after\">\n<div class=\"NasaBlocksImageBeforeAfterBlock grid-container grid-row grid-container-block bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-0 padding-y-6 margin-x-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"padding-x-0 grid-col-12\">\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- curtain view --><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-comparison-slider-parent comparison-view-active\">\n\t\t\t\t<img-comparison-slider><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" slot=\"first\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" slot=\"second\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/img-comparison-slider><\/p>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-before\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\">September 22, 2025<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-after\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\">September 9, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- toggle view --><\/p>\n<div class=\"toggle-comparison-parent\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- if image_1 is active the show image_1 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover toggle-view-image toggle-view-before-image toggle-view-active\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"A satellite image of farmland around Lubbock, Texas, on September 22, 2025, features a patchwork of green and brown agricultural fields and several playa lakes with varying amounts of water.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=300&#038;h=292&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=768&#038;h=747&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=996&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=50&#038;h=49&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=400&#038;h=389&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=600&#038;h=583&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=900&#038;h=875&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1167&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A satellite image of farmland around Lubbock, Texas, on September 22, 2025, features a patchwork of green and brown agricultural fields and several playa lakes with varying amounts of water.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory \/ Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<!-- if image_2 is active the show image_2 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover toggle-view-image toggle-view-after-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"A satellite image of the same Lubbock region on September 9, 2026, appears parched, with much less green vegetation and mostly dry lakes.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=300&#038;h=292&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=768&#038;h=747&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=996&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=50&#038;h=49&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=400&#038;h=389&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=600&#038;h=583&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=900&#038;h=875&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1167&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A satellite image of the same Lubbock region on September 9, 2026, appears parched, with much less green vegetation and mostly dry lakes.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory \/ Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"toggle-button-container padding-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"toggle-view-before-button toggle-comparison-view-active margin-right-1px\"><span class=\"toggle-view-before-label\">September 22, 2025<\/span><\/button><button class=\"toggle-view-after-button margin-left-1px\"><span class=\"toggle-view-after-label\">September 9, 2026<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- 2-up view --><\/p>\n<div class=\"two-up-view position-relative bg-carbon-10\">\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col flex-3 padding-top-4 padding-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"A satellite image of farmland around Lubbock, Texas, on September 22, 2025, features a patchwork of green and brown agricultural fields and several playa lakes with varying amounts of water.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=300&#038;h=292&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=768&#038;h=747&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=996&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=50&#038;h=49&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=400&#038;h=389&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=600&#038;h=583&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=900&#038;h=875&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1167&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A satellite image of farmland around Lubbock, Texas, on September 22, 2025, features a patchwork of green and brown agricultural fields and several playa lakes with varying amounts of water.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory \/ Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bg-spacesuit-white width-2px\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col flex-3 padding-top-4 padding-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"A satellite image of the same Lubbock region on September 9, 2026, appears parched, with much less green vegetation and mostly dry lakes.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=300&#038;h=292&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=768&#038;h=747&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=996&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=50&#038;h=49&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=400&#038;h=389&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=600&#038;h=583&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=900&#038;h=875&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1167&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A satellite image of the same Lubbock region on September 9, 2026, appears parched, with much less green vegetation and mostly dry lakes.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory \/ Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-before\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 22, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-after\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 9, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- Under image content --><\/p>\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-row title-row padding-x-2 desktop:padding-x-0 padding-top-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 button-row margin-bottom-3 tablet:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Update onClick handlers --><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Curtain view\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"comparison-view curtain-view-button comparison-view-active padding-bottom-1 margin-left-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>Curtain<\/button><button\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Toggle view\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"comparison-view toggle-view-button padding-bottom-1 margin-left-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>Toggle<\/button><button\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Two-Up view\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"comparison-view two-up-view-button padding-bottom-1 margin-left-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>2-Up<\/button>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t<!-- Image detail area --><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-details-panel padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"before-after-details-divider padding-y-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- OnClick handleImageDetailsClick --><button class=\"image-details-toggle-button\"><span>Image Details<\/span><!-- style - if showImageDetails, then transform rotate(180deg), else none --><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"14\" height=\"15\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 15\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"7\" cy=\"7.5\" r=\"6.5\" stroke=\"#58585B\" \/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.0002 8.23854L9.26318 5.95996L9.80019 6.50067L7.0002 9.31996L4.2002 6.50067L4.73721 5.95996L7.0002 8.23854Z\" fill=\"#58585B\" \/><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<!-- if showImageDetails, then display --><\/p>\n<div id=\"image-details\" class=\" padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col flex-2\">\n<div class=\"image-details-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFields were parched and brown, and playa lakes mostly dry, in Lubbock County in September 2026 (right) compared to September 2025 (left) in imagery captured by the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on the NASA\/USGS <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-8\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 8<\/a> satellite. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- File List --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many longtime cotton farmers in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tshaonline.org\/handbook\/entries\/high-plains\" rel=\"noopener\">Texas High Plains<\/a>, the 2026 drought sparked flashbacks to catastrophic harvests of the past. Miserably dry seasons forced farmers in America\u2019s largest cotton-producing region to abandon massive portions of their dryland crop, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plainscotton.org\/cn230324\/#:~:text=72\" rel=\"noopener\">72 percent<\/a> in 2022 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plainscotton.org\/downloads\/cotton_news\/2016\/CN160513.pdf#:~:text=66\" rel=\"noopener\">66 percent<\/a> in 2011.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in some ways, farmers felt the drought in 2026 entered new territory. \u201cThis is the first year that we\u2019ve had cotton completely die,\u201d said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nacdnet.org\/soil-champs\/south-central\/lacy-cotter-vardeman\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Lacy Cotter-Vardeman<\/a>, a farmer based in Lubbock County whose family has worked the land there for several generations. \u201cI was just talking to our insurance people, and they said they\u2019d never seen this before,\u201d she said, adding that roughly 90 percent of her dryland cotton was dead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Satellite images highlight the scale of the problem in Lubbock and adjacent counties. Brown, parched crops and vacant plots dominated the landscape on September 9, 2026, when the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-8\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 8<\/a> captured the image above (right). In contrast, much greener landscapes prevailed on September 22, 2025 (left), when the sensor captured an image of the same area during a more typical year with a relatively healthy harvest.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Rows of spindly, wilted cotton photographed in a field in Slaton, Texas, appear stressed.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=768&#038;h=512&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=683&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=900&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/nasaacresphoto.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=800&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Rows of spindly, wilted cotton photographed in one of Cotter-Vardeman\u2019s fields in Slaton, Texas, appear stressed and near death on August 14, 2026.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Photo by Lacy Cotter-Vardeman. <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Subtler signs of the drought are also visible. With groundwater growing scarce in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/mission-areas\/water-resources\/science\/high-plains-aquifer\" rel=\"noopener\">High Plains aquifer<\/a>, many farmers in the region have started irrigating just one-half or one-third of their center-pivot fields, explained Tillery Timmons-Sims, an agricultural conservationist who owns land in Brownfield, Texas, and used to grow cotton. In the imagery, these appear as green semicircles and quarter circles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note also the many shallow water features known as <a href=\"https:\/\/pljv.org\/playas\/\" rel=\"noopener\">playa lakes<\/a>\u2014sometimes called mud holes, buffalo wallows, and lagoons\u2014scattered throughout the image. Some, like Double Lakes and Mound Lake, are fairly large, but most of the more than <a href=\"https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/landwater\/land\/habitats\/high_plains\/wetlands\/playa.phtml\" rel=\"noopener\">19,300 playa lakes<\/a> in the Texas High Plains are quite small, less than 30 acres.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of these ephemeral lakes were dry in September 2026, unlike the previous year. Playa lakes are critical in this water-stressed region because the clay-lined features, if active, collect rainfall and provide pathways for water to seep underground and recharge the aquifer below, the region\u2019s primary source of irrigation water. However, some 80 percent are so modified by tilling or buried with sediment that they no longer function that way.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1330&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1330&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A U.S. Drought Monitor map of Texas depicts drought intensity across the state, with severe, extreme, and exceptional drought covering large portions. The area around Lubbock falls within the \"severe\" category, with \"extreme\" and \"exceptional\" drought in counties to the immediate northeast.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1330&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=300&#038;h=277&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=768&#038;h=709&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=946&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=400&#038;h=369&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=600&#038;h=554&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=900&#038;h=831&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1108&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Drought remained severe across many parts of the Texas High Plains in October 2026 despite some rain falling in recent weeks. The data depicted in the map are produced by the <a href=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/About.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Drought Monitor<\/a>, a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and NASA. NASA Earth Observatory map by Lauren Dauphin.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Farmers in this region operate along the eastern margin of the aquifer, which has declined sharply in recent decades. According to U.S. Geological Survey <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/sir\/2023\/5143\/sir20235143.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">data<\/a>, the water table across much of Lubbock County has dropped by between 25 and 100 feet since 1950, around when people began drawing large volumes of water from the aquifer to irrigate. Losses have been even more extreme (150 feet or more) in counties to the north, including Parmer, Castro, Swisher, and Briscoe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The aquifer\u2019s long-term decline, combined with the 2026 drought, left many wells \u201cpumping air\u201d this summer for some of the farmers Timmons-Sims knows. \u201cWe simply don\u2019t have groundwater to fall back on anymore,\u201d she said. Many farmers she knows thought that water might run out during the next generation; instead, it\u2019s \u201chappening now,\u201d she said. For Cotter-Vardeman, the problem couldn\u2019t be more tangible. Many of her irrigation wells stopped working in August.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rains in September and October, aided by a <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/el-nino-is-underway\/\" rel=\"noopener\">strong El Ni\u00f1o<\/a> in the Pacific, are bringing needed moisture to the region, but they haven\u2019t been enough, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/data\/narrativepdf\/20260929_nar_usdm.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">analysis<\/a> from the <a href=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Drought Monitor<\/a>. \u201cIt will take about 7 inches of rain over a three-month period to \u2018end\u2019 the current drought,\u201d said Jonathan Case, a meteorologist at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center and one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/About\/ContactUs.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\">Drought Monitor\u2019s authors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The deteriorating aquifer is one of the reasons Timmons-Sims stopped farming in 2007. She now spends most of her time searching for ways to keep farms in business, such as converting irrigated croplands to grasslands to earn water credits, developing alternative energy projects, adopting water-efficient techniques, and working with conservation organizations to plan for the long term.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through that work, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sara-conservation.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">the Sandhills Area Research Association<\/a>, a conservation organization she helps run, partnered with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaacres.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA Acres<\/a>, a research consortium that connects farmers with NASA science to address agricultural challenges.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In August, a NASA Acres <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaacres.org\/news\/space4ag-tour-listening-tour2026\" rel=\"noopener\">listening tour<\/a> brought NASA officials to Cotter-Vardeman\u2019s farm in Slaton, <a href=\"https:\/\/binghamfamilyvineyards.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">a vineyard<\/a> in Meadow, and parched cotton fields in Kress (below). At each stop, the conversation returned to water: how to preserve the ailing aquifer, and how farmers could manage their land in ways that would help <a href=\"https:\/\/pljv.org\/playas\/restoring-and-maintaining-playas\/\" rel=\"noopener\">restore playa lakes<\/a> and return billions of gallons of water to the aquifer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=6000&#038;h=4000&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"6000\" height=\"4000\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=6000&#038;h=4000&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A group of about two dozen people stand in a field inspecting wilted cotton.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 98%; object-position: 50% 98%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=6000&#038;h=4000&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 6000w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=768&#038;h=512&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=1024&#038;h=683&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=1536&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=2048&#038;h=1365&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=900&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=1200&#038;h=800&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/NASAAcresphoto2.JPG?w=2000&#038;h=1333&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 6000px) 100vw, 6000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Farmers and NASA scientists inspect wilted cotton in Kress, Texas, during a NASA Acres listening tour on August 25, 2026.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Acres \/ Adam Zwerner <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The playa lakes around Lubbock were among the first scientific topics researchers studied after <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-1\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 1<\/a> launched in 1972. One <a href=\"https:\/\/ntrs.nasa.gov\/api\/citations\/19720025665\/downloads\/19720025665.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">early analysis<\/a> by a Texas Tech geoscientist highlighted the Double Lakes playa (shown above), estimating that monitoring lakes from space would cost just a fraction of what ground surveys would.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More recently, a team of Texas Tech University researchers used a deep learning framework to identify and track changes affecting thousands of playa lakes over three decades. Their results, published in <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.eti.2026.105012\" rel=\"noopener\">September 2026<\/a>, showed that since 1995, playa lakes declined significantly in 15 of the 45 counties analyzed, highlighting the water challenges facing farmers like Cotter-Vardeman, a member of NASA Harvest\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaacres.org\/fiat\" rel=\"noopener\">Farm Innovation Ambassador Team<\/a> (FIAT).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Texas, Timmons-Sims and the FIAT team are working to connect farmers and NASA scientists, making it easier for farmers to use NASA data to decide what and when to plant, how to use cover crops and irrigation, and how to manage sediment and playa lakes. \u201cWe\u2019re simply running out of time and water,\u201d Timmons-Sims said. \u201cFarmers need information, innovation, optimization, and solutions\u2014and they need it now.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/earthexplorer.usgs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a><em> and<em> the <\/em><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/CurrentMap.aspx\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/CurrentMap.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><em>U.S.<\/em><\/em> <em><em>Drought Monitor<\/em><\/em><\/a><em><em> at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln<\/em>. Photos by Lacy Cotter-Vardeman<\/em> and <em>Adam Zwerner<\/em>.<em> Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em> <\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4856\" height=\"4721\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=4856&#038;h=4721&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A satellite image of farmland around Lubbock, Texas, on September 22, 2025, features a patchwork of green and brown agricultural fields and several playa lakes with varying amounts of water.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=4856&#038;h=4721&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 4856w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=292&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=747&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=996&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1493&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1991&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=50&#038;h=49&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=389&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=583&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=875&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1167&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1944&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4856px) 100vw, 4856px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">Landsat 8: September 22, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (9.15 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a aria-label=\"Download Landsat 8: September 22, 2025\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20250922_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4856\" height=\"4721\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=4856&#038;h=4721&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A satellite image of the same Lubbock region on September 9, 2026, appears parched, with much less green vegetation and mostly dry lakes.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=4856&#038;h=4721&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 4856w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=292&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, 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https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=50&#038;h=49&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=389&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=583&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=875&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1167&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1944&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4856px) 100vw, 4856px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">Landsat 8: September 9, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (7.95 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a aria-label=\"Download Landsat 8: September 9, 2026\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_oli_20260909_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2342\" height=\"2277\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=2342&#038;h=2277&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A U.S. Drought Monitor map of Texas depicts drought intensity across the state, with severe, extreme, and exceptional drought covering large portions. The area around Lubbock falls within the \"severe\" category, with \"extreme\" and \"exceptional\" drought in counties to the immediate northeast.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=2342&#038;h=2277&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2342w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=292&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=747&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=996&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1493&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1991&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=50&#038;h=49&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=389&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=583&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=875&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1167&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1944&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2342px) 100vw, 2342px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">US Drought Monitor<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (982.97 KB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a aria-label=\"Download US Drought Monitor\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/texasdrought_usdm_20260929_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources <\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Better Cotton Initiative,<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bettercotton.org\/lacy-cotter-vardeman-and-her-girls-a-legacy-of-conservation-partnership-and-having-a-seat-at-the-table\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Lacy Cotter-Vardeman and her girls<\/a>.<strong> <\/strong>Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Dryside Dispatch (2026, September 10) <a href=\"https:\/\/sara-conservation.castos.com\/episodes\/dryside-dispatch-september-4th-space4ag-with-tillery-sims\" rel=\"noopener\">Space4Ag with Tillery Sims<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Economic Research Service (2025, January 8) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ers.usda.gov\/topics\/crops\/cotton-and-wool\/cotton-sector-at-a-glance\" rel=\"noopener\">Cotton and Wool \u2013 Cotton Sector at a Glance<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>National Integrated Drought Information System, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drought.gov\/states\/texas\" rel=\"noopener\">Texas<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NASA Acres (2026) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaacres.org\/news\/space4ag-tour-listening-tour2026\" rel=\"noopener\">On the Road with the NASA Space4Ag Tour: Listening to Agriculture Across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NASA, <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/drought\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Drought<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NASA DEVELOP (2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/ntrs.nasa.gov\/api\/citations\/20250011264\/downloads\/2025Fall_CO_SHPTexasAg_TechPaper_FD-Final.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noopener\">Southern High Plains Texas Agriculture<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NASA Technical Reports Server (1973) <a href=\"https:\/\/ntrs.nasa.gov\/citations\/19730019558\" rel=\"noopener\">Dynamics of playa lakes in the Texas High Plains<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NOAA, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/drought-recovery\/current\/wmp\/end-rain\/3\" rel=\"noopener\">Current Drought Reduction<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Playa Lakes Joint Venture <a href=\"https:\/\/pljv.org\/playas\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Playas<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Sandhills Area Research Association (2026, September 19) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sara-conservation.com\/podcast-episodes\/episode-64\" rel=\"noopener\">From Satellites to Soil: Bringing NASA Remote Sensing to West Texas Farms<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Texas Counties Deliver, <a href=\"https:\/\/texascountiesdeliver.org\/mycounty\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Texas Counties Interactive Map<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Texas Water Development Board, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.twdb.texas.gov\/waterplanning\/rwp\/regions\/o\/index.asp\" rel=\"noopener\">Region O Planning Group<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Texas Parks &#038; Wildlife, <a href=\"https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/landwater\/land\/habitats\/high_plains\/wetlands\/playa.phtml\" rel=\"noopener\">Panhandle Playa Lakes<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>U.S. Drought Monitor (2026, September 29) <a href=\"https:\/\/droughtmonitor.unl.edu\/Summary.aspx\" rel=\"noopener\">National Drought Summary<\/a>. Accessed October 7, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-8fac46b8-017b-4f72-97fd-3be298caeb19\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" 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class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" class=\"hds-content-items hds-content-items-grid margin-top-2\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-rest-url=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/smd\/v1\/content-list\">\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/elephant-butte-reservoir-runs-low\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/elephant-butte-reservoir-runs-low\/elephantbutte_oli2_20260727_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/elephant-butte-reservoir-runs-low\/elephantbutte_oli2_20260727_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/elephant-butte-reservoir-runs-low\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Elephant Butte Reservoir Runs Low<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Drought in the Rio Grande basin contributed to New Mexico\u2019s largest reservoir dwindling to its lowest level in decades.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/drought-intensifies-across-puerto-rico\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/drought-intensifies-across-puerto-rico\/puertorico_usdm_20260825_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/drought-intensifies-across-puerto-rico\/puertorico_usdm_20260825_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/drought-intensifies-across-puerto-rico\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Drought Intensifies Across Puerto Rico<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    4 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Rainfall deficits and high temperatures have created unusually dry conditions and have spurred water shortages on much of the tropical\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/rising-waters-swamp-lake-naivasha\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/rising-waters-swamp-lake-naivasha\/kenyawater_oli_20260126_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/rising-waters-swamp-lake-naivasha\/kenyawater_oli_20260126_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/rising-waters-swamp-lake-naivasha\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Rising Waters Swamp Lake Naivasha<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    6 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Relentless rains are threatening a lake in Kenya\u2019s Great Rift Valley that has become a key hub in the global\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"4\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" data-page-number=\"1\"><br \/>\n<span>1<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 2\" data-page-number=\"2\"><br \/>\n<span>2<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 3\" data-page-number=\"3\"><br \/>\n<span>3<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 4\" data-page-number=\"4\"><br \/>\n<span>4<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"next page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fighting-drought-in-texas-cotton-country\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Next Page\" data-page-number=\"2\">Next<\/a><br \/>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More from NASA Earth Science<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/subscribe\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper 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src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 585w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=300&#038;h=218&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=400&#038;h=291&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/image-of-the-day\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Observatory Image of the Day<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">NASA&#8217;s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1407\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2500w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1153&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=400&#038;h=225&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=600&#038;h=338&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=900&#038;h=507&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=675&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1126&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Explore Earth Science<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Open access to NASA\u2019s archive of Earth science data<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png 3600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1024,512 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1536,768 1536w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2048,1024 2048w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=400,200 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=600,300 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=900,450 900w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1200,600 1200w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2000,1000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drought and an ailing aquifer were major topics 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