Something extraordinary is happening across the American landscape, and it's unfolding slowly enough that many people simply haven't noticed yet. The soil is drying out. Rivers are retreating.

The contiguous United States is experiencing record drought levels for this time of year, according to weather data.

After the warmest winter on record for many states and a blistering March heat wave that left almost no snow in parts of the American West, the region is facing a summer of serious wildfire risks and ...