State raises drought status due to ongoing dry period

The state’s Drought Status website provides information about conditions throughout Massachusetts.

Following nearly seven months of below-normal precipitation, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper on March 7 announced an increase in drought level for the Connecticut River Valley and Western regions of the state, meaning that the entire state now faces either critical or significant drought levels.

Since last August, most of the state has seen a precipitation deficit of 8 to 13 inches, with the Cape and Islands experiencing a deficit of 5 to 8 inches, according to Tepper. Precipitation for the most recent month, February, was also below normal.

Persistent drought has raised wildfire concerns as temperatures increase and fuels dry out; similar conditions late last fall led to a series of wildfires around the state.

Despite temporary surges in streamflow from recent precipitation events, streamflow and groundwater have worsened in nearly all regions, Tepper said, and recharge that typically occurs at this time of year to reservoirs and groundwater is diminished.

The Connecticut River Valley region is now at a Level 3: Critical Drought, and the Western Region is now at a Level 2: Significant Drought. The Central and Northeast regions remain at Level 3, and the Southeast, Cape Cod and Islands regions remain at Level 2.

The Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry offers a number of programs aimed at reducing the potential impact of wildfires.

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.