Chautauqua County remains under a drought watch while a warning has been issued for neighboring Cattaraugus County.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Wednesday announced a drought warning was issued in 12 counties in the Adirondack and Southern Tier regions and a drought watch was expanded to include six counties in the Susquehanna region. New York state is encouraging all residents, including those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks. 

“The less-than-normal amounts of rain have led to dry conditions for many counties in New York, resulting in the Adirondacks and Southern Tier counties being elevated to drought warning status and Susquehanna counties elevated to drought watch,” Hochul said. ”While New York State experts continue to closely monitor the data and conditions on the ground, we are taking proactive steps to support communities, farmers and local water suppliers. At the same time, we are urging everyone to do their part to conserve water so we can reduce stress on our resources and prevent more severe impacts in the weeks ahead.”

A drought watch or warning is now in effect for the entire state except for New York City and Westchester County. There are four levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. There are no mandatory state restrictions under a drought watch or warning. A warning declaration is a notice of impending and imminent severe drought conditions and includes increasing public awareness and voluntary water conservation. Public water supply purveyors and industries are urged to continue to implement local drought contingency plans.

There is rain in the forecast for many parts of New York State, but the National Weather Service’s forecast suggests a minimal likelihood of significant relief from dry conditions. Observed precipitation over the past 90 days was less than normal across virtually the entire state. Observed precipitation deficits across the state range from two to eight inches. Stream flows and groundwater levels are declining in certain areas.

In New York, drought status determinations are based on a State Drought Index that uses New York State-specific attributes, so it may differ from national drought assessments. In addition, local conditions may vary, so some areas of the state may make their own determinations of drought stage using locally focused criteria. DEC supports efforts by local governments and other stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures based on specific circumstances.  

It is recommended that on-farm water supplies are monitored regularly, and concerns are communicated with county emergency management and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Disaster Education Network and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets offer additional resources and local support.