Current Drought Status
- October 15, 2021: Due to significant rain received throughout most of Massachusetts in September, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides announced that conditions have recovered across all of Massachusetts and declared Level 0-Normal Conditions in the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast and Islands regions, same as the last month; and moved the Cape Cod Region to a Level 0-Normal condition from a Level 1-Mild Drought condition last month.
To learn which drought region your city or town falls into, go to https://www.mass.gov/service-details/drought-regions.
Outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, are details on drought index assessments and actions that can be taken by state and local entities. The declarations were the result of a recommendation issued by the state’s Drought Management Task Force, which is composed of state and federal officials, and other entities.
To further protect water resources, residents and businesses are urged to ensure indoor toilets, faucets, showers, and other infrastructure are WaterSense efficient. Additional water conservation tips include:
- Address leaks as soon as possible;
- Conduct water audits on larger buildings and businesses to identify leaks and potential water conservation opportunities
- Continue to exercise outdoor water conservation;
- Minimize the size of where lawns are watered;
- Plant non-lawn/non-grass landscapes;
- Increase plantings of drought tolerant species and to shift to non-lawn/non-grass landscapes; and,
- Install rain collection systems to help with watering of outdoor plants and vegetable gardens.
Water conservation measures will aid in the reduction of water use and safeguard water for essential needs, such as drinking water, fire protection services, habitat recovery and environmental needs, and sustained water supplies. For more information, please visit EEA’s webpages on indoor and outdoor water use.
Additional Resources
Past Drought Declarations Maps and History
Past Drought Status Maps
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May-June 2020
- October 2019
- September 2019
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- December 2014
- October 2014
- November 2010
- October 2010
- August 2010
Drought History
The information in this drought history table dates to 2001, when the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan was developed in response to a period of deficient precipitation that began in 1999. The most severe drought of modern times was the drought of the 1960s, equivalent to a drought emergency. A less severe drought occurred in the early 1980s.