According to the latest data from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, 50 of New York State’s 62 counties are currently facing a drought watch. Put differently, about 80% of New York State is at risk of a drought.
The state itself is divided into nine different drought regions based on drainage basins and county lines. You can see them outlined below.
What is a drought watch?
There are four levels to a state drought advisories; a drought watch is the first level. It could escalate from a drought watch to a warning, a warning to an emergency and an emergency to a disaster. New York last declared a drought emergency in 2002, where it remained so until January 2003.
Essentially, drought watches are intended to provide early notice of a developing drought.
Actions and expectations during a drought watch
During a drought watch, residents are not under any statewide water use restrictions. However, residents are encouraged to act conservatively with their water usage, while local public water suppliers can require conservation measures.
Is NYC under a drought watch?
No, NYC is within one of the 12 counties not in a drought watch in New York State. Although NYC experienced its driest summer in two decades—with 36% less rainfall than typical summers—the city still does not qualify for an official drought watch based on state advisory thresholds.
Which New York counties are in a drought watch?
There are 50 New York counties currently under a drought watch.
Some affected counties include:
- Albany
- Allegany
- Cattaraugus
- Columbia
- Cayuga
- Chemung
- Delaware
- Dutchess
- Fulton
- Greene
- Lower Herkimer
- Livingston
- Montgomery
- Oneida
- Onondaga
- Ontario
- Orange
- Putnam
- Rensselaer
- Rockland
- Saratoga
- Schenectady
- Schoharie
- Schuyler
- Seneca
- Steuben
- Sullivan
- Tompkins
- Ulster
- Washington
- Wyoming
- Yates
To keep up with current drought conditions you can check the DEC website.
Potential impacts of a drought
Droughts can impact an affected area’s agriculture (crop production and livestock), navigation and transportation (water levels on rivers and waterways and an increased risk of wildfires that can affect visibility on roadways), energy and manufacturing (many energy production and manufacturing operations rely on water), planning and preparedness (the state’s response activities and assistance), and private water wells (water levels).
Water conservation tips
These are the recommended conservation tips from the New York DEC:
- 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 only part way
- Install water saving plumbing fixtures
- Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold
- Wash cars less frequently.