A Crack in the Dustbowl

Dust storms have been a common occurrence in the southwestern plains of the United States. Thus, the name "dustbowl" is an apt one given to a region which includes the central part of the six state area of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska (Figure 1). Before the 1930s, there had been periodic droughts in this region, but the dusty conditions that accompanied them had always been restricted to the drought stricken area. Since the population of this region was relatively small, and few acres of land were farmed, the dust severely affected only a small number of people. Nevertheless, during the period beginning around 1910 and lasting until about 1930, rainfall was adequate for good crop yields, and the economy was booming. This resulted in increased agricultural activity in the dustbowl region, which increased the potential for damage to the land. Farmers, either out of ignorance or carelessness, used methods from farther east that were not well suited for the drier climate found in the Plains. These farming practices further increased the potential for land damage.