Drought Information from the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs
October 10, 2025:
Today, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared that dry conditions in the Islands Region in Nantucket County have worsened to a Level 3–Critical Drought and in Dukes County to a Level 1–Mild Drought. The Northeast Region has improved from Level 2–Significant Drought to Level 1–Mild Drought. The Deerfield and Millers Watersheds have worsened to Level 3–Critical Drought. The Southeast Region remains at a Level 1–Mild Drought and the Western Connecticut River Valley, Central, and Cape Cod Regions are still in Level 2–Significant Drought Conditions.
During September, Massachusetts received between 2 - 6 inches of rainfall. The Central, Western, Cape Cod and Islands recorded rainfall totals 1.5 - 3 inches below normal; the Southeastern Region, including Bristol and Plymouth Counties, experienced near to slightly above normal precipitation (0–2 inches above normal).
Three-month precipitation totals are now generally 40–80% of normal across Massachusetts, with the largest deficits on Nantucket (20–40% of normal). Six-month totals remain within 20% of normal across most of the state, except for Nantucket (40–60% of normal). Although the upcoming rainfall will bring some relief to the southeast part of the state, it may take longer to recover from the precipitation deficits and their influence on groundwater and other indices.
The current drought has caused many impacts to the natural environment including the drying of streams in nearly all regions, lower water levels in lakes and ponds resulting in exposed banks, and the impediment of fish passage out to the ocean. Local water supplies have been impacted with many cities and towns instituting watering restrictions to ensure long-term sustainability.
State agencies will continue to closely monitor and assess conditions across the state, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help federal, state, and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. The DMTF will meet again on Thursday, November 6th at 10:00 AM. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, visit the EEA’s drought and water conservation pages.
Posted: to General News on Fri, Sep 12, 2025
Updated: Tue, Dec 2, 2025
