Recent monsoon rains helped boost flows in the San Pedro River, but the benefits are only temporary in the midst of a historically dry year. The river, which flows about 140 miles through southeastern Arizona, has been threatened by myriad factors including climate change and nearby groundwater pumping. In late June, an important registering station along the river registered zero flow. The Charleston gage, near Sierra Vista, showed the river as completely dry. Joanne Roberts, board president of the nonprofit Friends of the San Pedro River, said that it went dry due to a combination of factors — prolonged drought, climate change, mining and other human uses. She said the river had only gone dry one or two times in recorded history.

Other drought news around the West:

• The Arizona Republic (Phoenix): Navajo leaders declare emergency as drought forces more water hauling
• E&E News by Politico: California drought changes the map for broccoli farmers
• Arizona Department of Water Resources: Weekly map: drought conditions