US EditionMassachusetts Residents Urged To Use Less Water As Drought Worsens
Massachusetts faces widespread water shortages with 10 counties under Level 2 Significant Drought; residents must limit outdoor watering to reduce wildfire risks and conserve resources.
- On Tuesday, Massachusetts officials announced a Level 2 Significant Drought status for ten counties across the state.
- A lack of sufficient precipitation in recent months, especially a dry August with rainfall 1 to 2 inches less than usual, has caused several areas to slip back into drought conditions despite earlier gains from spring and early summer rains.
- Streamflow has decreased drastically, leading to dry riverbeds and exposed pond and lake shores, while groundwater levels are falling rapidly in certain areas, notably on Cape Cod and the islands, which is affecting local ecosystems and fish migration patterns.
- Tepper urged residents to adhere to local water restrictions, practice conservation, and cautioned that a warm autumn raises wildfire risks, with meteorologist Hrencecin expressing concern about another active fire season.
- Officials advise using only watering cans or hoses that are manually operated for outdoor irrigation between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., repairing leaks promptly, and performing water use audits, while communities are encouraged to enforce restrictions on nonessential outdoor water use.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Significant drought conditions continue in western Mass.
CHICOPEE, Mass (WWLP) - Recent rainfall in the Northern Pioneer Valley may provide minor relief from dry conditions, but significant improvement is unlikely. This summer, the region experienced below-average rainfall, particularly in August, leading to abnormally dry areas, which is a Level 1 and a moderate drought, which is a Level 2 in Northern Franklin County. "I don't think it will be significant, I think you'll definitely see it just go bac…
The Sun (Lowell)
‘Significant drought’ conditions declared in several regions
BOSTON — On Tuesday, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared that drought in the Central, Northeast, Western and Connecticut River Valley regions has worsened to a Level 2 – Significant Drought. Although the spring and early summer months brought some much-needed rainfall, which helped bring many regions out of drought, below normal rainfall over the last three months has quickly moved these regions back into a s…
Significant drought declared in 10 Massachusetts counties
Ten of Massachusetts’ 14 counties are currently experiencing significant drought conditions, the state’s environmental affairs secretary declared Tuesday. Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Suffolk and Worcester Counties have all worsened to Level 2 drought conditions, the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs said in a press release. This is the third of five possible drought…
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