What significant environmental challenge faced Oklahoma during its early settlement period?

During the early settlement period in Oklahoma, one of the most significant environmental challenges was droughts. This region, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, experienced severe and prolonged drought conditions that severely impacted agriculture, which was the backbone of the economy for many settlers. The lack of rainfall led to crop failures and hardships for farmers, contributing to the struggles of new settlers who were trying to establish their livelihoods in a sometimes harsh environment. Droughts not only affected food production but also led to greater tensions over water resources in a rapidly developing territory.

While other environmental challenges like tornadoes and flooding were also present in Oklahoma, they did not have the same widespread and long-term impacts on settlement and agriculture as the recurring droughts did during this specific period in history.