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DROUGHT
STATUS IN MASSACHUSETTS
"When
the well is dry, we know the worth of water."
-- Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac, 1746
March 21, 2003
The
drought is now officially over in all parts of Massachusetts after six months of above-normal precipitation.
On March 14, the Massachusetts Drought Management Task
Force announced that it was lifting the Drought Advisory for Cape Cod and the
Islands. The groundwater levels in that region took longer to recover than
did supplies in the rest of the state. The Drought Advisory for the
remainder of Massachusetts was lifted in mid-December.
From
September through February, precipitation averaged 122% of normal.
As a result, stream flow and groundwater levels have steadily improved, ending a drought that began in October 2001. During that time, many
Massachusetts communities imposed outdoor watering restrictions, which helped
to conserve water for essential uses.
Fall
and winter are the primary seasons for groundwater recharge and restoration of
reservoir levels. Development of a snowpack and the subsequent spring
snowmelt are also part of the typical water cycle that helps to restore water
table levels on an annual basis.
While
the return to normal is good news for all of us, water conservation is still
important to sustain public water supplies and protect environmental
resources. Please do your part to avoid wasting
water. Every drop counts!
The following links
will connect you to the most up-to-date information about the drought in Massachusetts.
They also provide tips on how to conserve water, especially around the home.
Massachusetts
Drought Status Maps and Advisories
U.S.
Geological Survey Drought Watch for MA and RI
National
Drought Mitigation Center
H20
Use: An Online Guide to Having a Water Saver Home
Also
go to MADWEP -- Your Drinking Water
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