Despite the recent rain, Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah region of the state remain in a drought watch, according to the Department of Environmental Quality.
The drought watch advisory is in effect for the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren.
The drought watch was lifted for 32 counties in Virginia including the Eastern Shore, Northern Coastal Plain, Northern Piedmont and Roanoke River regions.
Widespread and heavy precipitation over the past 14 days has led to marked improvements in soil moisture and increases in streamflow across Virginia. Stream flows throughout the Commonwealth have rebounded with all stream gages within the drought monitoring network currently indicating normal or above normal status.
Groundwater monitoring wells in the Climate Response Network have improved in the central and eastern portions of the Commonwealth. However, some wells in the Northern Virginia and Shenandoah regions remain much below normal.
Low water levels in agricultural ponds and small feeder streams in the Northern Virginia and Shenandoah regions are still being reported due to the extended dry conditions prior to the recent rainfall.
Storage volumes at all major water supply reservoirs remain at normal levels.
The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force and Virginia DEQ issue the drought watch advisory to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought.
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.
All Virginians are encouraged to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitoring drought conditions and detecting and repairing leaks.
For more information, please visit www.DEQ.Virginia.gov.
Share
Crystal Graham
