Drought in Winter? Understanding Our Region’s Critical Water Deficit

February 20, 2025

OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Communications & Development | Published February 20, 2025

While winter is typically a time for our groundwater to recharge, this year tells a different story. Our region has officially been elevated to a Level 3—Critical Drought status. This designation highlights severe groundwater depletion despite recent snowfall. Unlike surface water, which responds more immediately to precipitation, groundwater levels reflect long-term trends—and right now, they are dangerously low.

Why is This Happening?

The drought that hit our region in late 2024 was unusually timed, arriving later in the season than usual. With winter upon us, precipitation that would normally replenish groundwater isn’t soaking in. Instead, it’s running off frozen ground into streams and storm drains, leaving wells and aquifers with little recovery.

A look at the USGS groundwater monitoring well in Acton shows just how concerning this trend is. Typically, groundwater levels rise during winter, but this year, they remain critically low. This is particularly alarming for communities that rely on groundwater wells for drinking water.

But What About the Snow?

It’s easy to assume that snowfall might help alleviate the drought, but that’s unfortunately not the case. Snow has a much lower water content than rain—roughly a 10:1 ratio—meaning it takes a significant amount of snowfall to equate to even a small amount of rainfall. With frozen ground preventing infiltration, much of this water won’t reach the aquifers that need it most.

What Can We Do?

Even in winter, water conservation is critical to ensuring we don’t put additional strain on our already depleted groundwater reserves. Here are some simple actions you can take:

Use water efficiently indoors—Fix leaks, run only full loads of laundry and dishes, and avoid unnecessary water use.
Be mindful of salt use—Over-salting driveways and sidewalks contribute to water pollution when snowmelt washes excess salt into our rivers and groundwater.
Stay informed—Monitor drought conditions and follow local water conservation recommendations.
Urge Your Legislators to Act: Ask your state representatives to cosponsor the Drought Bill (HD.1423/SD.1668) to strengthen Massachusetts’ drought response and protect our rivers.

TAKE ACTION NOW, EMAIL YOUR STATE REP

Our rivers and aquifers are the lifeblood of our communities, and this drought is a stark reminder of how interconnected we are with the natural water cycle. OARS will continue to monitor conditions, advocate for responsible water management, and provide updates on what we can all do to protect our watershed.

Want to learn more? Visit the state’s drought status page for the latest updates: Massachusetts Drought Status

River Log

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues

>40%

of the land within the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers watershed is publicly accessible, providing endless opportunities for paddling, hiking, and wildlife exploration.