Droughts are one of the most expensive and damaging hydrologic hazards in the United States. They are generally slow in developing, frequently occur over a long period of time, and can affect large areas and populations.
The U.S. Geological Survey New England Water Science Center's long-term continuous monitoring network of surface water and groundwater stations provide data to define drought severity. 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.
Current Drought Conditions in the Northeastern United States

USGS Drought Information
Streamflow
USGS New England WaterWatch streamflow maps showing:
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Current real-time streamflow
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Daily average streamflow
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7-day average streamflow
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14-day average streamflow
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28-day average streamflow
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Monthly average streamflow
USGS WaterWatch State Dashboard – real-time streamflow conditions
Groundwater
Groundwater Levels in New England
National Water Dashboard for New England – real-time groundwater levels
* USGS real-time data used to produce these maps are provisional and subject to revision until they are thoroughly reviewed and receive final approval.
Monthly Hydrologic Conditions in New England (Current Conditions)
Drought Forecasting: Streamflow and Groundwater Probabilities
Other Drought Related Maps and Information
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National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) – National Current Conditions
New England State Drought Information
Historical Droughts in New England
- 2020 Drought
- Northeast Drought of 2016-17
- Massachusetts Drought Retrospective 2016 - 2017
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USGS National Water Summary 1988-89 – Hydrologic events floods and droughts (Individual State information)
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
New England Drought, 2020
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
Below Normal 28-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year
Drought Streamflow Probabilities in Northeast Region
Maximum likelihood logistic regression (MLLR) is used to estimate drought probabilities for selected Northeast rivers and streams. Winter streamflows are used to estimate the chance of hydrologic drought during summer months. This application allows the display and query of these drought streamflow probabilities for Northeastern streams.
Below are publications associated with this project.
2022 drought in New England
Forecasting drought probabilities for streams in the northeastern United States
Meeting the challenge: U.S. Geological Survey North Atlantic and Appalachian Region fiscal year 2020 in review
2020 drought in New England
Enhancement of primary production during drought in a temperate watershed is greater in larger rivers than headwater streams
Tropical river suspended sediment and solute dynamics in storms during an extreme drought
Flood- and drought-related natural hazards activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in New England
Hydrologic Drought Decision Support System (HyDroDSS)
Drought conditions in Maine, 1999-2002: A historical perspective
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Groundwater Levels in New England
View recent monthly and daily groundwater levels in New England relative to long-term monthly statistics.
WaterWatch Toolkit
The USGS WaterWatch Toolkit provides online tools that allow users to search USGS sites in various ways; create a variety of maps, graphs, charts, animations, and tables; perform a variety of streamflow analyses, and retrieve summary statistics.
Below are software products associated with this project.
HyDroDSS: Hydrologic Drought Decision Support System - Software page
The HyDroDSS is designed to provide water managers with risk-based information for balancing water-supply needs and aquatic-habitat protection goals to mitigate potential effects of hydrologic drought.
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
What causes drought?
A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions that results in water-related problems. The amount of precipitation at a particular location varies from year to year, but over a period of years the average amount is fairly constant. In the deserts of the Southwest, the average precipitation is less than 3 inches per year. In contrast, the average precipitation in the Northwest is more than...
When does a drought begin and end?
The beginning of a drought is difficult to determine. Several weeks, months, or even years might pass before people know that a drought is occurring. The end of a drought can occur as gradually as it began. The first evidence of drought is usually seen in records of rainfall. Within a short period of time, the amount of moisture in soils can begin to decrease. The effects of a drought on flow in...
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?
To view the USGS streamflow information on drought, see the drought map on our WaterWatch site, which shows below-normal, 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the United States. Links to additional maps and drought data are listed on the USGS Drought website and the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).
Why doesn't a drought end when it rains?
Rainfall in any form will provide some drought relief. A good analogy might be how medicine and illness relate to each other. A single dose of medicine can alleviate symptoms of illness, but it usually takes a sustained program of medication to cure an illness. Likewise, a single rainstorm will not break the drought, but it might provide temporary relief. A light to moderate shower will probably...
- Overview
Droughts are one of the most expensive and damaging hydrologic hazards in the United States. They are generally slow in developing, frequently occur over a long period of time, and can affect large areas and populations.
The U.S. Geological Survey New England Water Science Center's long-term continuous monitoring network of surface water and groundwater stations provide data to define drought severity. 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.
Current Drought Conditions in the Northeastern United States
Remote image UrlSources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. Visit Media to see details.A map displaying drought levels in the northeastern United States. Station 01184100 Stony Brook near West Suffield, Connecticut. Photo shows a stretch of channel that is almost dry. USGS Drought Information
Streamflow
USGS New England WaterWatch streamflow maps showing:
-
Current real-time streamflow
-
Daily average streamflow
-
7-day average streamflow
-
14-day average streamflow
-
28-day average streamflow
-
Monthly average streamflow
USGS WaterWatch State Dashboard – real-time streamflow conditions
Groundwater
Groundwater Levels in New England
National Water Dashboard for New England – real-time groundwater levels
* USGS real-time data used to produce these maps are provisional and subject to revision until they are thoroughly reviewed and receive final approval.
Monthly Hydrologic Conditions in New England (Current Conditions)
Drought Forecasting: Streamflow and Groundwater Probabilities
Photograph of a dry stream channel at the Segreganset River near Dighton, Massachusetts, at USGS streamgage 01109070 on September 17, 2020. Other Drought Related Maps and Information
-
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) – National Current Conditions
New England State Drought Information
Historical Droughts in New England
- 2020 Drought
- Northeast Drought of 2016-17
- Massachusetts Drought Retrospective 2016 - 2017
-
USGS National Water Summary 1988-89 – Hydrologic events floods and droughts (Individual State information)
-
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
New England Drought, 2020
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.Towards Understanding the Impact of Drought on the Arsenic Hazard for the Private Domestic Well Population in the United States
The USGS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are examining the potential effects of droughts on the arsenic hazard in private well water across the Nation. - Data
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
Below Normal 28-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year
Drought Streamflow Probabilities in Northeast Region
Maximum likelihood logistic regression (MLLR) is used to estimate drought probabilities for selected Northeast rivers and streams. Winter streamflows are used to estimate the chance of hydrologic drought during summer months. This application allows the display and query of these drought streamflow probabilities for Northeastern streams.
- Multimedia
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
2022 drought in New England
Introduction During April through September 2022, much of New England experienced a short but extreme hydrologic drought that was similar to the drought of 2020. By August 2022, Providence, Rhode Island, was declared a Federal disaster area, and New London and Windham counties in Connecticut were declared natural disaster areas. Mandatory water use restrictions were put in place in communities inAuthorsDee-Ann E. McCarthy, James M. LeNoir, Pamela J. LombardForecasting drought probabilities for streams in the northeastern United States
Maximum likelihood logistic regression (MLLR) models for the northeastern United States forecast drought probability estimates for water flowing in rivers and streams using methods previously identified and developed. Streamflow data from winter months are used to estimate chances of hydrological drought during summer months. Daily streamflow data collected from 1,143 streamgages from April 1, 187AuthorsSamuel H. AustinMeeting the challenge: U.S. Geological Survey North Atlantic and Appalachian Region fiscal year 2020 in review
The utilization, preservation, and conservation of the Nation’s resources requires well-informed management decisions. The North Atlantic and Appalachian Region (NAAR) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supports science-based decision making for Federal, State, and local policymakers to meet the challenges of today and into the future. The science centers in the NAAR have well-deserved reputatioAuthorsByChesapeake Bay Activities, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Minerals Information Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Office of Tribal Relations2020 drought in New England
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 drought, reflecting its quick onset. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded record-low streamflow and groundwater levels throughout the region. In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2020) declared Aroostook CountAuthorsPamela J. Lombard, Janet R. Barclay, Dee-Ann E. McCarthyEnhancement of primary production during drought in a temperate watershed is greater in larger rivers than headwater streams
Drought is common in rivers, yet how this disturbance regulates metabolic activity across network scales is largely unknown. Drought often lowers gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) in small headwaters but by contrast can enhance GPP and cause algal blooms in downstream estuaries. We estimated ecosystem metabolism across a nested network of 13 reaches from headwaters to tAuthorsJacob D. Hosen, Kelly S. Aho, Alison P. Appling, E.C. Creech, Jennifer H Fair, Robert O Jr. Hall, Ethan Kyzivat, Rachel Lowenthal, Serena Matt, Jonathan Morrison, James E. Saiers, James B. Shanley, Lisa Weber, Bryan Yoon, Peter A. RaymondTropical river suspended sediment and solute dynamics in storms during an extreme drought
Droughts, which can strongly affect both hydrologic and biogeochemical systems, are projected to become more prevalent in the tropics in the future. We assessed the effects of an extreme drought during 2015 on stream water composition in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. We demonstrated that drought base flow in the months leading up to the study was sourced from trade-wind orographic rainfalAuthorsKathryn E. Clark, James B. Shanley, Martha A. Scholl, Nicolas Perdrial, Julia N. Perdrial, Alain F. Plante, William H. McDowellFlood- and drought-related natural hazards activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in New England
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has many ongoing and recent water-related natural hazard activities in New England that can be used to help mitigate the effects of natural hazards in cooperation with other agencies. The themes related to potential hazards and the tools and science to better understand and address them include the following: Erosion and landslides • Fluvial erosion (sediment tranAuthorsPamela J. LombardHydrologic Drought Decision Support System (HyDroDSS)
The hydrologic drought decision support system (HyDroDSS) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Rhode Island Water Resources Board (RIWRB) for use in the analysis of hydrologic variables that may indicate the risk for streamflows to be below user-defined flow targets at a designated site of interest, which is defined herein as data-collection site on a stream tAuthorsGregory E. GranatoDrought conditions in Maine, 1999-2002: A historical perspective
Hydrologic drought can be defined as reduced streamflow, declining ground-water levels, and (or) reductions in lake or reservoir levels. Monthly precipitation totals, annual 7-day low-flow surface-water recurrence intervals, and month-end ground-water levels from drought years 1999-2002 show that 1999-2002 was the driest period of hydrologic drought in more than 50 years of record in Maine. RecordAuthorsPamela J. Lombard - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Groundwater Levels in New England
View recent monthly and daily groundwater levels in New England relative to long-term monthly statistics.
WaterWatch Toolkit
The USGS WaterWatch Toolkit provides online tools that allow users to search USGS sites in various ways; create a variety of maps, graphs, charts, animations, and tables; perform a variety of streamflow analyses, and retrieve summary statistics.
- Software
Below are software products associated with this project.
HyDroDSS: Hydrologic Drought Decision Support System - Software page
The HyDroDSS is designed to provide water managers with risk-based information for balancing water-supply needs and aquatic-habitat protection goals to mitigate potential effects of hydrologic drought.
- News
- FAQ
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
What causes drought?
A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions that results in water-related problems. The amount of precipitation at a particular location varies from year to year, but over a period of years the average amount is fairly constant. In the deserts of the Southwest, the average precipitation is less than 3 inches per year. In contrast, the average precipitation in the Northwest is more than...
When does a drought begin and end?
The beginning of a drought is difficult to determine. Several weeks, months, or even years might pass before people know that a drought is occurring. The end of a drought can occur as gradually as it began. The first evidence of drought is usually seen in records of rainfall. Within a short period of time, the amount of moisture in soils can begin to decrease. The effects of a drought on flow in...
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?
To view the USGS streamflow information on drought, see the drought map on our WaterWatch site, which shows below-normal, 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the United States. Links to additional maps and drought data are listed on the USGS Drought website and the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).
Why doesn't a drought end when it rains?
Rainfall in any form will provide some drought relief. A good analogy might be how medicine and illness relate to each other. A single dose of medicine can alleviate symptoms of illness, but it usually takes a sustained program of medication to cure an illness. Likewise, a single rainstorm will not break the drought, but it might provide temporary relief. A light to moderate shower will probably...
- Partners