A positive effect of the drought?

Bluegrass (Poa pratensis), an undesirable component of prairies, is much more sensitive to drought than prairie grasses. Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie has areas where bluegrass is still prominent, a legacy of former times. A brief survey showed that the drought has killed most of this bluegrass, leaving prominent bare areas.

Former bluegrass area (between the forbs), now bare ground.

Hopefully, prairie grasses will be able to take over these bare areas.