Drought Crisis– Streams Run Dry

Drought Crisis–– Streams Run Dry

Drought conditions continue to worsen, now affecting the entire state, with no relief in sight. The northeast drought region, which includes about half of the Charles’ watershed, has been elevated to Level 3 - Critical Drought, while the portion of the watershed in the southeast drought region remains in a Level 2 - Significant Drought. What does that look like? In some cases, empty streambeds.

Despite rapidly worsening conditions, the state legislature still hasn’t acted on the drought management bill, which is stuck in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Many communities are implementing mandatory or voluntary water conservation measures, but this confusing patchwork of responses has limited impact. The drought bill would allow the state to call for widespread water conservation before there is a drought emergency, giving our water supplies a chance to recharge.