After a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today returned to normal status the final counties on drought watch: Centre, Clearfield, and Clinton. Hydrologic conditions are now normal state-wide.
Drought watch or warning conditions began in mid-August and expanded during the fall, affecting a total of 30 counties.
DEP bases its drought declarations on four numeric indicators. The agency gets stream flow and groundwater level data from a statewide network of gauges maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition, DEP monitors precipitation and soil moisture. DEP also factors in information it receives from public water suppliers on their reserves and operations.
Seven suppliers in six counties continue to request or require local water use reductions as water levels recover. Find the list at www.dep.pa.gov/drought.
The Drought Task Force will next meet when conditions warrant.