State raises drought status following dry period

Following months of below-normal precipitation, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced on Sept. 9 that drought levels have increased for the majority of the state.

The Western, Central, Northeast, Cape Cod and Connecticut River Valley regions, along with Nantucket, are now at a Level 2: Significant Drought. The Southeast Region is at a Level 1: Mild Drought. Dukes County is the only area rated as Level 0: Normal Conditions.

The increase in drought level follows a three-month period during which much of the state has received between 40% and 80% of normal precipitation levels.

The decrease in precipitation has impacted both streamflow and groundwater levels across the state; streams are drying up and groundwater conditions are worsening, especially on Cape Cod and Nantucket, where groundwater levels are already below normal, according to state officials.

The state’s drought status and resources are available online.

The Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry offers a variety of programs aimed at reducing potential wildfire impacts.

The state has also developed drought management and water conservation resources for individuals and municipalities to reduce strains on the water supply. Some immediate steps that communities can take include water restriction enforcement, establishing water-use reduction targets, and providing drought and water conservation information to residents and businesses.