The New England Water Science Center continuously monitors the status of New England's principal rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers to compare current hydrologic conditions with normal and extreme recorded values. Displayed on the photo is a drought impact on Cochituate Brook at Framingham, Massachusetts.
Below average and infrequent rainfall from May through September 2020 led to an extreme hydrologic drought across much of New England, with some areas experiencing a flash (quick-onset) drought.

The abrupt change in precipitation from at or above average in early May to as much as 4 in. below average in September 2020 and the resulting precipitous declines in streamflows and groundwater levels have been characterized as a flash drought (reflecting its quick onset) at some locations in New England, including northern Maine, southeastern Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island, and northeastern Connecticut. The 2020 drought rivaled other historic droughts, including those in 1995 and 1998–2002, in terms of intensity and geographic effects. Although streamflows and groundwater levels began to recover in October and November 2020, full recovery will depend on precipitation during the coming winter and spring.
Working within the constraints of strict travel restrictions, technicians and scientists collected more than 350 additional field measurements to define stage-discharge relationships and ensure accurate data for decision makers; held or attended 26 virtual meetings for drought committees to discuss hydrologic conditions with Federal, State, and local partners; and brought drought-related expertise to the public through 15 media encounters.
Please check the “2020 drought in New England” publication for more info.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
New England Drought Information
Towards Understanding the Impact of Drought on the Arsenic Hazard for the Private Domestic Well Population in the United States
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
New England Below Normal 28-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year
Drought Streamflow Probabilities in Northeast Region
Below are selected drought photos from New England.
The New England Water Science Center continuously monitors the status of New England's principal rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers to compare current hydrologic conditions with normal and extreme recorded values. Displayed on the photo is a drought impact on Cochituate Brook at Framingham, Massachusetts.



Station 01196588 Mill River at Cook Hill Rd. in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Photo shows dry river channel at location of staff gage.
Station 01196588 Mill River at Cook Hill Rd. in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Photo shows dry river channel at location of staff gage.


Quinebaug River near West Thompson, Connecticut. Photo shows one of few deeper pools of water in the 01124151 station vicinity during drought.
Quinebaug River near West Thompson, Connecticut. Photo shows one of few deeper pools of water in the 01124151 station vicinity during drought.
Station 01124151 Quinebaug River West Thompson Connecticut. The photo shows the orifice line that senses the river stage. The orifice is out of water, so we were not able to collect stage or discharge data.
Station 01124151 Quinebaug River West Thompson Connecticut. The photo shows the orifice line that senses the river stage. The orifice is out of water, so we were not able to collect stage or discharge data.
Below are publications associated with this project.
2020 drought in New England
Meeting the challenge: U.S. Geological Survey North Atlantic and Appalachian Region fiscal year 2020 in review
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
WaterWatch Toolkit
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
What causes drought?
When does a drought begin and end?
Where in the Nation are droughts or very low flows occurring now? How can I see these sites on a map and get to the data?
Why doesn't a drought end when it rains?
Below average and infrequent rainfall from May through September 2020 led to an extreme hydrologic drought across much of New England, with some areas experiencing a flash (quick-onset) drought.

The abrupt change in precipitation from at or above average in early May to as much as 4 in. below average in September 2020 and the resulting precipitous declines in streamflows and groundwater levels have been characterized as a flash drought (reflecting its quick onset) at some locations in New England, including northern Maine, southeastern Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island, and northeastern Connecticut. The 2020 drought rivaled other historic droughts, including those in 1995 and 1998–2002, in terms of intensity and geographic effects. Although streamflows and groundwater levels began to recover in October and November 2020, full recovery will depend on precipitation during the coming winter and spring.
Working within the constraints of strict travel restrictions, technicians and scientists collected more than 350 additional field measurements to define stage-discharge relationships and ensure accurate data for decision makers; held or attended 26 virtual meetings for drought committees to discuss hydrologic conditions with Federal, State, and local partners; and brought drought-related expertise to the public through 15 media encounters.
Please check the “2020 drought in New England” publication for more info.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
New England Drought Information
Towards Understanding the Impact of Drought on the Arsenic Hazard for the Private Domestic Well Population in the United States
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
New England Below Normal 28-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year
Drought Streamflow Probabilities in Northeast Region
Below are selected drought photos from New England.
The New England Water Science Center continuously monitors the status of New England's principal rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers to compare current hydrologic conditions with normal and extreme recorded values. Displayed on the photo is a drought impact on Cochituate Brook at Framingham, Massachusetts.
The New England Water Science Center continuously monitors the status of New England's principal rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers to compare current hydrologic conditions with normal and extreme recorded values. Displayed on the photo is a drought impact on Cochituate Brook at Framingham, Massachusetts.



Station 01196588 Mill River at Cook Hill Rd. in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Photo shows dry river channel at location of staff gage.
Station 01196588 Mill River at Cook Hill Rd. in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Photo shows dry river channel at location of staff gage.


Quinebaug River near West Thompson, Connecticut. Photo shows one of few deeper pools of water in the 01124151 station vicinity during drought.
Quinebaug River near West Thompson, Connecticut. Photo shows one of few deeper pools of water in the 01124151 station vicinity during drought.
Station 01124151 Quinebaug River West Thompson Connecticut. The photo shows the orifice line that senses the river stage. The orifice is out of water, so we were not able to collect stage or discharge data.
Station 01124151 Quinebaug River West Thompson Connecticut. The photo shows the orifice line that senses the river stage. The orifice is out of water, so we were not able to collect stage or discharge data.
Below are publications associated with this project.
2020 drought in New England
Meeting the challenge: U.S. Geological Survey North Atlantic and Appalachian Region fiscal year 2020 in review
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
WaterWatch Toolkit
Below are FAQ associated with this project.