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 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.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.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
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.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
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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
-
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
- Multimedia
- Publications
- Web Tools
- Software
- 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