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DEC Provides Update on Drought Conditions; Lewis
County Downgraded from Drought Warning to Drought Watch
Published: November 05, 2025
at 03:15 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Provides Update on Drought Conditions
21 Counties Changed from Drought Warning to Drought
Watch; Total Counties in Drought Watch Now at 56
View Map of New York State Drought
Conditions
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that
21 counties moved from Drought Warning to Drought Watch due to several
weeks of consistent rainfall and improving levels of streamflow and ground
water. Counties moved to drought watch are Allegany, Cattaraugus,
Chautauqua, Chemung, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton,
northern Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St.
Lawrence, Steuben, Warren, and Wayne. There are now 56 counties in drought
watch across New York State.
“Thankfully, rain
is providing communities across the state with some needed relief,
resulting in downgrading from warning to watch in the Adirondacks, Southern
Tier, and Great Lakes-area counties,” DEC Commissioner Amanda
Lefton said. “While recent rainfall improved dry conditions for
many counties in New York, drought watch remains in effect for much of the
State and New Yorkers are asked to continue water conservation
efforts. DEC experts continue to monitor conditions and coordinate
closely with the Drought Management Task Force to issue recommendations
that help protect our water supplies.”
Observed
precipitation over the past 90 days has improved but remains less than
normal across virtually the entire state. Observed precipitation deficits
across the state range from two to seven inches. Stream flows and
groundwater levels are gradually improving. The National Weather Service’s
near-term forecast suggests that normal or even slightly wet precipitation
patterns can be expected over the next month.
There are four
levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and
disaster. Under a drought watch, there are no statewide mandatory water use
restrictions in place, but residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily
conserve water. Local public water suppliers may require conservation
measures, depending upon local needs and conditions.
New Yorkers are
urged to continue conserving water as 56 counties are in drought watch.
Property owners in affected counties, particularly those dependent on
private groundwater wells, are encouraged to help prevent worsening
conditions during the coming weeks by following tips to reduce water use
whenever possible.
To protect water
resources, New Yorkers are encouraged to voluntarily reduce outdoor water
use. For water saving tips, visit DEC's Water Use and
Conservation webpage. For more information about
drought in New York, visit DEC’s website.
State Drought
Index
Drought watches
and warnings are triggered by the State Drought Index, which reflects
precipitation levels, reservoir and lake levels, and stream flow and
groundwater levels in the nine drought regions of the state. Each of these
indicators is assigned a weighted value based on its significance to
various uses in a region. The State Drought Index is attuned to the
specific attributes of New York and may differ moderately from some
national technical drought assessments.
DEC and the U.S. Geological Survey are partners in evaluating hydrologic
conditions across New York State. In addition, DEC supports efforts by
local governments and stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures
based on specific local circumstances.
Drought
Preparedness
In New York,
drought status determinations are based on a State Drought Index that uses
New York State specific attributes, so it may differ somewhat from national
drought assessments. In addition, local conditions may vary, so some areas
of the state may make their own determinations of drought stage using locally-focused criteria. DEC supports efforts by local
governments and stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures based
on specific circumstances.
Drought
preparedness includes monitoring and evaluation of climatological
and conditions for early awareness of a potential drought and the
implementation of short- and long-term options for programs and projects to
minimize drought impacts.
Certain sectors
have the potential to be impacted by drought conditions, including water
supply, agriculture, ecosystems, navigation and transportation, energy and
manufacturing, and planning and preparedness.
The State’s
Drought Management Task Force monitors drought conditions, communicates
information, and coordinates with affected communities. The Task Force is
governed by the State Drought Management Coordination Annex, which
focuses on research, monitoring and possible legislative actions to help
prevent and mitigate impacts from droughts. Task Force members
include DEC, New York State Office of Emergency Management, Department of
Health, Department of Agriculture and Markets, Canal Authority, Thruway
Authority, and New York Power Authority. With this coordinated preparedness
and response effort, the impact of drought conditions on communities and
commerce can be reduced.
Know Your Water
The public can
contact their local water system for information about drought preparedness, impacts, and response notices and
activities. Additional tips for the public on water conservation can also
be found in each water systems Annual Water Quality Report (AWQR). Water
system contact information and AWQR can be accessed using the Know Your NY Water website or water systems own
websites. Fire departments should check that their sources have adequate
supply and that the intakes for dry hydrants are sufficiently
submerged.
Support for
Farmers
It is recommended
that on-farm water supplies are monitored regularly, and concerns are
communicated with county emergency management and local Soil and Water
Conservation Districts. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Disaster Education Network and
the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets offer
additional resources and local support.
Private Water
Well Assistance and Dry Water Well Reporting
For assistance with water wells that may be affected by drought:
- Report a dry water well using the Dry Water Well Reporting Form
- Contact a
registered water well contractor to discuss appropriate
options for individual needs.
- Check that the well is dry due to drought and
no other issues. Sometimes the solution is quite simple, like a broken
valve or electrical issue. The only way to definitively tell if a well
is dry is to measure the water level in the well.
- Conserve water
year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on water
wells.
- Consider adding a water storage tank to help
get through dry periods.
- Clean or redevelop existing wells.
- Deepen existing wells or drill a new well. If
drilling a new well, properly decommission the old well to protect
groundwater quality.
For more
information and resources about drought, visit DEC’s website.
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