Massachusetts in Critical Drought: What It Means for Our Rivers and What You Can Do

November 26, 2024

OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Communications & Development | Published November 26 2024

As of November 19, 2024, most of Massachusetts is under a Level 3—Critical Drought designation, with the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, Central, and Northeast regions experiencing severe water deficits. Only the Cape and Islands regions remain at a Level 0—Normal condition. This drought, driven by unprecedented low rainfall over the past three months, has led to dried streambeds, critically low groundwater levels, and environmental challenges that affect ecosystems, water supplies, and fire safety. Here is what this means for our watershed, how climate change intensifies drought conditions, and what you can do to help.

Understanding the Current Drought

The drought gripping Massachusetts has resulted in alarming consequences:

Rainfall Deficits: Most areas received less than an inch of rain in the last 30 days—3 to 4.5 inches below normal. Since August, the deficit has ranged from 8 to 11 inches
Streamflow Impacts: River and stream flows have plummeted, leading to dry brooks, exposed sediments, and limited fish passage
Groundwater Depletion: Groundwater levels are dropping rapidly, particularly in the Central and Western regions
Increased Fire Risks: Dry conditions have heightened wildfire activity, prompting bans on open flames in state parks. Remember that burning yard waste is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round. Even during open burning season, it always requires a permit and burning leaves is not allowed

The effects on the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers (SuAsCo) are significant. Reduced streamflow disrupts aquatic habitats, while lower groundwater recharge impacts long-term river health.

Climate Change and Drought Intensity

While droughts have always been a part of natural climate cycles, human-driven climate change exacerbates their severity. Rising temperatures increase evaporative demand, which means the atmosphere pulls more moisture from water bodies, soil, and plants. This phenomenon transforms moderate droughts into severe ones. Recent studies have shown that warming trends make droughts last longer, cover larger areas, and cause more significant environmental harm.

October 2024 was the driest month on record for much of the eastern US, including parts of Massachusetts. This record dryness, combined with increased average global temperatures, underscores the urgent need to adapt our water management strategies to a changing climate.

Every small action can collectively make a big impact. Here are practical steps you can take to conserve water and mitigate the effects of this critical drought:

Indoors

Fix Leaks: Check water meters for hidden leaks and use dye tabs to test toilets for silent leaks
Efficient Appliances: Install WaterSense-certified toilets, faucets, and showerheads to reduce water usage
Smart Practices: Use dishwashers rather than handwashing dishes. Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads and limit showers to five minutes or less

Outdoors

Eliminate Nonessential Water Use: Avoid watering lawns, washing cars, or washing hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding), strongly discourage filling pools, hot tubs, and backyard informal rinks
Be Fire Safe: Use grills cautiously and ensure all ashes or embers are fully extinguished
Maintain Native Plants: If you must water, do so sparingly during early morning or late evening hours

For River Health

Join OARS in maintaining river access points and removing invasive species through programs like Adopt-a-Launch and River RATS
Become a Water Quality Volunteer with OARS and contribute to monitoring the health of our rivers. As a volunteer, you will collect water samples from the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers, providing crucial data to track river conditions and inform restoration efforts. This hands-on opportunity is a great way to make a tangible impact on our watershed’s health while learning about water science and conservation.

Looking Ahead: Adapting to a Drier Future

While short-term rain may alleviate immediate impacts, long-term solutions are essential. These include:

Establishing year-round water conservation programs
Supporting drought-resilient landscaping and infrastructure
Advocating for policies that protect water resources and combat climate change

OARS remains committed to safeguarding the SuAsCo rivers through monitoring, restoration projects, and community engagement. Your support helps us continue these efforts in the face of climate challenges.

For more detailed guidance on conserving water and reducing drought impacts, visit the Massachusetts drought management page: Drought Management in Massachusetts.

Let’s work together to protect our water resources during this critical time. Every drop matters—especially now.

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