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DEC Lifts Drought Watch for Upstate Drought Regions
Published: March 26, 2026 at
04:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Lifts Drought Watch for Upstate Drought Regions
Nassau and Suffolk Counties Remain in Drought Watch
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that
all upstate drought regions have returned to “Normal” status. In
cooperation with the State's Drought Management Task Force, DEC updated the
drought status from “Drought Watch” to “Normal” in State
Drought Regions II through VIII after assessing recent precipitation and
elevated levels of ground and surface water. The Long Island counties
of Nassau and Suffolk (State Drought Region I) remain in a Drought
Watch.
“Precipitation
and recent snowmelt have improved stream flows and groundwater
levels, resulting in upstate drought regions returning to normal status,” said
Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “DEC experts will continue to monitor
conditions in coordination with the State Drought Management Task Force and
update the public of any changes. DEC encourages communities and
individuals to always be mindful of their water use and practice water
conservation measures all year long.”
While regional
hydrological conditions have notably improved, localized dry conditions may
persist and despite encouraging hydrological conditions, New Yorkers
are urged to continue reducing unnecessary water use and waste, fixing
leaks, and choosing efficient water fixtures.
New York State
drought Region IIA, which includes New York City and Westchester County,
remains in normal status due to the satisfactory storage levels and
refill probability of the New York City reservoirs. According to the New
York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the city's
reservoirs are at more than 95% capacity. DEC continues to work closely
with DEP to monitor reservoir conditions and encourage responsible water
use, especially outdoors, regardless of the hydrological conditions or season.
Following the
declaration, DEC briefed the State Drought Management Task Force and
federal partner agencies. A map of New York State
drought conditions is available on the DEC
website.
New York State
encourages ongoing water conservation to ensure adequate supply for all
emergency use. To protect water resources, homeowners are encouraged
to voluntarily reduce water use and follow these tips:
- Reuse water collected in rain barrels,
dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water plants.
- Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways
and sidewalks.
- Fix leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses
and faucets.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and
laundry.
- Take shorter showers
or fill the bathtub partly.
- Install water saving plumbing fixtures.
- Don’t run the tap to make water hot or
cold.
- Wash cars less frequently.
Visit the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense for
more tips on saving water indoors and outdoors. DEC has been a WaterSense partner since 2014.
Private Water
Wells
For water wells
that may be affected by drought, see the information and links
below. Contact a registered
water well contractor to discuss appropriate options for your
individual situation.
- Report a dry water well using the Dry Water Well
Reporting Form.
- 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.
State Drought
Index
Drought stages
are calculated using the State Drought Index, which evaluates whether
several drought indicators have reached critical thresholds. DEC experts
track and evaluate drought conditions based on stream flows, lake and
reservoir storage levels, and groundwater levels. These factors, and the
duration of the dry period, season, and other information such as past and
forecasted precipitation, weather patterns, and local conditions, are used
by DEC to evaluate drought conditions across the state. 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.
For more water-saving tips,
visit DEC's webpage. For more information about drought in New York,
visit the Water Use and Conservation webpage.
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