Current Drought Status
November 6, 2020 – Following relatively higher amounts of rainfall in the final weeks of October, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides today declared that drought conditions have improved in most regions of the Commonwealth. In the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeastern, and Islands regions, conditions improved to a Level 1-Mild Drought.
In the Southeast Region, conditions moved to a Level 2-Signficiant Drought after experiencing Level 3- Critical Drought conditions last month. The Cape Cod Region remains at a Level 2- Significant Drought, unchanged from last month’s declaration.
Responding to worsening conditions in the Nashua River basin, Secretary Theoharides declared a Level 2-Significant Drought in the watershed.
A Level 1 – Mild Drought, as outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, warrants detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance for the affected municipalities. At a Level 2 – Significant Drought conditions are becoming significantly dry and warrant detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, emphasis on water conservation, more stringent watering restrictions, and technical outreach and assistance for the affected municipalities.
Click here for a list of communities in each drought region or river basin.
While conditions have improved, drought conditions are ongoing in every region of the Commonwealth, and the state continues to urge residents in every region across the Commonwealth to be mindful of the amount of water they are using, to be proactive in eliminating outdoor water use, actively reduce indoor water use, and to address plumbing leaks as soon as possible.
The drought declaration will remain in effect until water levels return to normal in the affected areas.
Additional Resources
Past Drought Declarations Maps and History
Past Drought Status Maps
- 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.