Think running out of water is just a California problem? Talk to a Kansas cattle farmer

Nathan Kells and his family have farmed in southwestern Haskell County, Kansas, since 1885. He runs a full service heifer ranch, growing crops to feed the animals. The ground is dry. Very dry. Haskell County, a three-hour drive west of Wichita, now faces an “exceptional” drought, which is the highest category of dry. “Wildfires and large dust storms occur” when it’s this dry, the National Weather Service warns. “It’s very taxing on you, emotionally,” Kells said. “Not to speak of financially. We do what we can.” The water crisis would be terrible were it just limited to Haskell County. It is no...