Summary
- According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 72.38% of the state is experiencing "moderate drought" and 13.29% is experiencing "severe drought". Over the month of July, drought conditions have worsened to "severe" along New Hampshire's southeast border with Massachusetts.
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The state's groundwater level monitoring network indicates much below normal (<10 percentile) and low (below lowest monthly median) groundwater levels along the Connecticut River Valley from Lancaster to Newport, as well as in Campton, Albany, New Durham and East Kingston. These levels are indicative of a more severe hydrological drought than represented on the U.S. Drought Monitor map.
- With the exception of the the Northern Merrimack River and the Pemigewasset River, stream flows are low across the state.
- The monthly precipitation outlook leans toward below normal precipitation. The monthly temperature outlook indicates above normal temperatures are likely.
- High heat is expected to continue through Monday, with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms today, tomorrow, and Monday. More widespread showers are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Message
Community water systems and municipalities experiencing drought, as indicated on the U.S. Drought Monitor map, should implement mandatory outdoor water use restrictions. The level of restriction shall be based on the information above, known local impacts and if known, current availability of water supply. NHDES recommends the following:
- In all areas experiencing drought, limit landscape watering to before 7am and after 8pm.
- In areas of moderate drought, reduce landscape watering to even and odd days based on address.
- In areas of severe drought, limit landscape watering to two days a week and limit unnecessary water use such as washing cars and driveways and filling pools.
- Despite the level of drought, in areas with much below or low groundwater levels, ban outdoor water use with the exception of hand watering vegetable gardens.
Community water systems, as well as municipalities implementing lawn watering restrictions within town boundaries pursuant to RSA 41:11-d, should report restrictions to NHDES using the Water Use Restriction Reporting Form.
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