We’re Still in a Drought- What That Means, and What You Can Do
- Lydia Olson
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force held its monthly meeting on February 10, and determined that the majority of the state remains in a drought. The state is now in the second year of a drought that started in August 2024 and is expected to persist into the spring and potentially summer. Here’s a reminder on how the state determines drought levels and what each level means.
What have been the impacts of this multi-year drought?
In the fall of 2024 Massachusetts experienced record wildfires and some regions of the state had record-setting low levels of precipitation. Currently, the Quabbin Reservoir, which supplies the Greater Boston area with water, is at its lowest levels since the drought of 2016-2017.
A prolonged drought has significant impacts on the environment, and can also impact people’s lives. Important species in Massachusetts like river herring suffer during drought. The herring help sustain commercial & recreational species, such as cod, haddock, and striped bass. River herring struggle in low stream flows, sometimes resulting in fish kills.
Drought also impacts agricultural systems and water infrastructure. Cranberries are an iconic Massachusetts crop, and the state produces approximately 25% of the nation’s cranberry supply, but the bogs in which they are grown are especially at risk of failure during drought. In 2016-2017, Massachusetts farmers suffered an $18 million loss due to drought-related crop losses.
We got so much snow recently, how are we still in a drought?
Massachusetts has been in a drought for so long that streams, lakes and reservoirs, and groundwater levels are significantly reduced. It will take sustained precipitation over a few months to properly refill lakes and reservoirs, and recharge groundwater levels to normal conditions.
In winter, especially one with record-setting cold temperatures, the ground is frozen solid. This means that precipitation which would normally be recharging the groundwater, lakes, and reservoirs is locked up in snow and ice. Any snow that does melt will run directly off into the streams, instead of seeping into the ground and replenishing groundwater levels. Recharge will occur once spring comes, but it is not clear if it will be enough to recover from the water debt from the recurring drought.
How do we get out of drought?
To return to normal conditions the state must receive consistent precipitation over an extended period of time — one intense rainstorm or large snowstorm will not fix the problem. For example, last fall some areas of the state were in need of up to 6” of extra precipitation to recover.
What can we do while waiting for more rain?
The best strategy during a drought is to conserve water use. During the winter, conserving indoor water use is important. There are many different ways to do that, as shown in this video.
Also, The Drought Bill (H1003/S586) is Mass Rivers' top legislative priority for the current legislative session and we are actively advocating for its passage. The bill will modernize drought management in Massachusetts, and help keep Massachusetts' water supplies and rivers healthy in a changing climate. Learn more>>
Comments