NYS DEC: All 62 counties under a Drought Watch

All 62 counties in New York State remain under a drought watch, the DEC announced this week on Monday.

“While recent precipitation has alleviated dry conditions for many counties, New Yorkers should still be vigilant about water use and conservation,” said Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar.

Check the latest DEC drought map here.

Several counties in the southeastern portion of the state, including the metropolitan region of New York City, were all just downgraded to a Drought Watch.

A statewide burn ban was enacted via the Governor’s Office back in November amidst dangerously dry conditions, but conditions have since improved somewhat with recent rainfall and snowmelt.  

Drought stages are calculated using the State Drought Index, which evaluates whether several drought indicators have reached critical thresholds.

DEC experts track and evaluate drought conditions based on stream flows, lake and reservoir storage levels, and groundwater levels.

NYS DEC image.