Persistent rainfall in recent months has improved drought conditions in the region. The state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has downgraded the Connecticut River Valley region from critical drought status to mild drought status.

The Central, Southeast and Western regions of the state have also been moved down to mild drought status. The Northeast region is joining the Cape and Islands regions where they already stood at a significant drought status. However, state officials caution that even a mild drought status requires consistent monitoring and coordination among state and federal agencies to continue implementing drought responses, such as water use restrictions.

“The spring showers and several months of consistent rain and snowfall have provided much-needed relief,” EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement. “But it’s important to recognize it takes months to recover from a prolonged drought. We all need to continue to be mindful of our indoor water use. As we enter the growing season, everyone must continue to follow state guidance and local water restrictions, including limiting outdoor watering and being vigilant of leaks.”

In the past few months, the state has experienced above-average levels of rainfall, improving streamflow and raising groundwater levels. The EEA says that most regions of the state have had an average of 4 to 6 inches of monthly precipitation. In the past three months, precipitation levels in the Central and Northeastern regions have been near-normal, but the Cape and Islands regions have had precipitation levels 40% below average for the past six months.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water supply system is not experiencing drought conditions, according to the EEA. But officials note that private wells and other water sources within the same river basin may be impacted.

“All sources of water, regardless of their location or type of withdrawal, ultimately draw from the same river basin,” the EEA said.

Drought conditions improved since March

Last month, the Connecticut River Valley region was upgraded to critical drought status, raising concerns about another harsh wildfire season in the fall. In 2024, historic wildfires consumed roughly 4,500 acres statewide. This month’s move to mild drought conditions has provided some reprieve from those concerns.

The Connecticut River Valley region includes Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties.

Over the course of February, the state received only between 2 to 4 inches of rain and snow — 1 to 1.5 inches less than normal. In early March, the majority of the state had been in an 8- to 13-inch water deficit since last August.

While conditions have largely improved over the past month, initial projections by the EEA in March indicated that the likelihood of future droughts may be higher than they have been historically.

David Boutt, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s College of Natural Sciences who studies the hydrologic cycle, previously told the Gazette that intensifications to the hydrologic cycle are characteristic of a warming atmosphere. This can lead to harsher wet and dry seasons, with more pronounced droughts and flooding.

Mild drought precautions

While the region is experiencing mild drought conditions, the EEA recommends that communities remain vigilant with water conservation practices.

The EEA states that residents and businesses should make efforts to minimize overall water use. This includes limiting water use to one day a week between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., planting only local and drought-resistant species, fixing indoor leaks, conducting water audits, minimizing lawn sizes, and harvesting rainwater for outdoor watering.

Municipalities are encouraged to develop year-round water conservation programs, check emergency inter-connections for water supplies and develop drought management plans.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.