Severe Droughts

1886

1889‑1890 ‑ grain didn't germinate throughout the state.

1891

1900‑ poor crop

1901‑ fair crop

1910‑ poorest crop of early years

1921‑ partial crop

1928‑ all crops light

1935‑ Martin Berg, who lived in McHenry, reported that he had observed seven frogs that had drowned in a pool in the gravel pit.  The pool occurred after a heavy rain.  Martin figured that because of the dry conditions the frogs didn't have any water and so hadn't learned how to swim.  "Now that's dry!"

1936‑ Broke all records with 6.52 inches of moisture for the year.

1961‑ Dry conditions caused concern about the cattle ' grazing on crops because of the possibility of nitrate poisoning.

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 87