A drought conditions map released by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Twenty counties, including northern Cayuga, are under a drought watch.
A drought watch is in effect for 20 New York counties, including part of Cayuga.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation issued the drought watch on Friday. The advisory covers northern New York and extends to counties along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The northern part of Cayuga County is in the watch area.
According to the DEC, a watch is the first level of the state's drought advisories. The advisory levels range from watch to warning, emergency and disaster.
The watch is based on the state drought index, which the DEC says factors in precipitation levels, lake and reservoir levels, as well as stream flow and groundwater levels. Groundwater levels, precipitation and stream flow have been below normal in the 20 counties covered by the watch.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said there could be local water restrictions in the Adirondacks, Great Lakes and Long Island regions if there is a severe shortage.
"Even with some recent rain, it wasn't enough to reduce the dry conditions we've seen most of the summer this year," Hochul added.
There aren't water restrictions associated with a drought watch. However, DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton is encouraging residents, especially those with private wells, to conserve water.
"DEC will continue to monitor the conditions and work with our agency partners to address these short-term issues as well as the longer-term impacts of climate change," Lefton said.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.
A drought conditions map released by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Twenty counties, including northern Cayuga, are under a drought watch.
