Drought has Returned to Virginia

 The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) monitors and evaluates hydrologic and water supply conditions and evaluates drought conditions. The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force is responsible for making recommendations for Drought Stage declarations. In an unusual move due to return of dry conditions, the Task Force met in mid September to discuss the status of drought monitoring and hydrologic conditions in the Commonwealth.

The most recent DMTF report can be found at this link.  DEQ in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has established drought watch advisories for 28 counties.

A drought watch advisory is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought and includes the following areas:

• Northern Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties
• Roanoke River: Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Patrick, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania, and Roanoke counties
• Upper James: Alleghany, Bath, Craig, Botetourt, Highland, and Rockbridge counties
• Shenandoah: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties

from DEQ

Recent lack of precipitation has resulted in rapid declines in streamflow and groundwater levels, ranging from the northern portion of the Commonwealth, south along the Blue Ridge, to the south-central region of the state. The forecast for the next two weeks suggests limited precipitation in the western part of the Commonwealth (0.10 to 0.50”) with a better chance of substantial precipitation east of the Blue Ridge (1.0 to 3.0”). Above normal temperatures are predicted over all the Commonwealth for the next two weeks. Storage at major water supply reservoirs remains within normal ranges.

Groundwater monitoring wells show a general statewide decline. Below and much below normal percentile values were measured in the Eastern Shore, New River, Northern Virginia, Shenandoah, and Roanoke regions. Several monitoring wells in Northern Virginia recorded sharp declines, with levels remaining or dropping well below the 25th percentile of historical records. One of the two groundwater indicator wells in York County has dropped to near record low levels, measuring values below the 5th percentile in the recent seven-day period. Likewise, groundwater indicator wells in the Northern Virginia, Shenandoah, and York James regions measured below the 5th percentile during the recent seven-day period.

from USGS groundwater monitoring well 49V at Loudoun -Prince William County line

DEQ is working with local governments, public water works, and water users in the affected areas to ensure that conservation and drought response plans and ordinances are followed. Localities and residents that are supplied water from the Potomac River should consult the Metropolitan Washington Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan for specific triggers and actions to be taken. All Virginians are encouraged to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitoring drought conditions, and detecting and repairing leaks.