Drought Information

The Commonwealth Drought Coordinator manages drought related activities and monitors drought conditions statewide. Drought watch and warning declarations are determined by the Coordinator and other DEP staff, with support of the Drought Task Force. Drought emergency declarations follow a similar process and are given final approval by the Governor.

Current Drought Declaration Status

Pennsylvania drought condition monitoring indicators provided by the U.S. Geological Survey can be found here.

Drought declarations aren't based on one indicator alone. DEP makes drought watch, warning, or emergency declaration recommendations based on four numeric indicators: stream flow, groundwater level, precipitation, and soil moisture. There are normal ranges for all four indicators. DEP makes its drought declarations after assessing the departures from these normal ranges for periods of 3-12 months. DEP also factors in information it receives from public water suppliers.

Drought Announcements

• 10/5/22: Precipitation over the last week has yielded encouraging changes throughout the state, as precipitation, surface water, and soil moisture indicators trend in a positive direction. Groundwater indicators have seen less change, although this will likely turn a corner in the future with consistent rain. See the current indicators at the U.S. Geological Survey Pennsylvania map. Public water suppliers (a key drought information resource) have made minor alterations in their restrictions, but more consistent precipitation may be needed for them to fully recover from the dry conditions that built up over the summer months. We'll monitor these reports as we get them and announce updates to the drought status declarations when the Commonwealth Drought Task Force meets on October 17.

• 9/13/22 Drought Watch Remains for 36 Counties, DEP Asks for Continued Voluntary Water Conservation

• 8/31/22 DEP Declares Drought Watch for 36 Counties, Asks for Voluntary Water Conservation

Public Water Suppliers on Restriction

• List of water suppliers employing non-essential water restrictions as of September 27, 2022
  

Susan K. Weaver, P.E.
Commonwealth Drought Coordinator

Questions?
Phone: 717 772-4048
E-mail: droughtinfo@pa.gov

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