Reporting Drought Impacts in North Dakota with Condition Monitoring Observer Reports

Your reports provide an understanding of local drought impacts that may not be apparent in broader-scale climate datasets. The reports are used in the formation of the U.S. Drought Monitor map. At the federal level the Drought Monitor triggers drought assistance, including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and Internal Revenue Service tax provisions. State agencies use the information in the reports to direct drought response efforts.

Your report will be displayed on a map of Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) ). You will be asked to provide your contact information; however, this will not be displayed publicly without your permission. The reports will be archived to help better understand drought and improve drought forecasting.

We recommend submitting a report once a week throughout the growing season to provide an ongoing comparison of wet, dry and normal conditions at your location.

Agriculture

• Decreased crop production and livestock weights
• Reduced yields, pastures, forage
• Increased irrigation or hauled water

Fire

• More fires and more intense fires
• Burn bans
• Poor air quality
• High fire risks

Water

• Voluntary or mandatory conservation
• Increase in harmful algae blooms
• Decreased surface water quantity and/or quality

Reports can be submitted at https://go.unl.edu/cmor from a computer, tablet or mobile device.

To use a mobile device to submit a report, you must first download and setup the Survey 123 application. Follow these steps to download and setup the application.

1. Download the Survey123 application from the app store or by using this QR code.
2. Once installed, the app will open and ask you to use device location. This option will make geotagging information more accurate, but it is not required.
3. Allowing the app to access your pictures and camera will help when submitting reports with photos.
4. Tap “continue without signing in.”
5. Next, download the CMOR survey.
   1. In the search bar at the top, tap the QR code icon to open the camera.
   2. Take a picture of the QR code provided to open a link in your browser.
   3. Tap “Open in the ArcGIS Survey 123 field app.”
   4. The CMOR Survey should appear and the download will start.

To submit a CMOR report with a mobile device:

1. Open the app and tap “Continue without signing in.”
2. Select “CMOR 2023.”
3. Tap “Collect” at the bottom.
4. Use the form to pinpoint your location, or provide your jurisdiction, as well as the date of your observation or photo.
5. How dry or wet is it? Pick from seven levels, ranging from severely dry to severely wet. Short descriptions can be found on the survey to help you determine a level.
6. Enter how many times you have experienced these conditions in the past and whether they are localized or widespread.
7. What impacts of drought or flooding are you experiencing? Tap any categories that are relevant to you, and see a list of potential impacts. Then, select all that you are experiencing.
8. Upload a photo. By uploading an optional photo, you agree that it may be used and shared for educational and management purposes. If you plan to submit regular reports, the photo should be of the same spot to provide a consistent set of observations to contrast changing conditions.
9. Provide any additional description information.
10. Name and email are required for reporting. However, data is not shared publicly by the National Drought Mitigation Center.