State environmental officials on Monday declared that the Connecticut River Valley Region that includes Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties has worsened to a Level 2 Significant Drought, despite as much as 3 feet of snow this winter.
According to data analyzed and collected by the Drought Management Task Force, the Central and Northeast regions are now in a Level 3 Critical Drought. Conditions slightly improved in Nantucket County, which is now at a Level 2 Significant Drought, or stayed the same in the Southeast and Cape Cod regions and Dukes County. Meanwhile, the Western Region is now in a Level 1 Mild Drought.
Despite significant snowfall, the worsened drought conditions are due to limited groundwater recharge this winter. Officials said most of that water was still locked in snow because February temperatures stayed well below freezing; the ground was also frozen. Even when it melts, the snow equals only about 2.5 inches of water, which is not enough to fully recharge rivers, lakes, ponds and groundwater after months of below-average precipitation and overall substantial water deficits.
The above-normal temperatures that the state is now experiencing and the upcoming rains will start to slowly replenish water systems and will be reflected in monthly totals for the month of March, officials said.
“This drought has been building since 2024, and we’re still seeing the effects in low streamflow and lower water levels across the state,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement. “Even though we had a snowy February, it won’t be enough to replenish the groundwater after such a long period of drought. That’s why it’s important for everyone to be mindful of how we use water. Small actions can help protect our water supply while conditions recover.”
Drought is a look back at conditions over a period of time. The Drought Management Task Force collected and analyzed data from August 2024 through the end of February 2026.
Communities and individuals living and working in a Level 2 Significant Drought zone are encouraged to minimize overall water use; follow local water use restrictions; fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets and showers, which result in more than 60% of indoor use; and for larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.
Residents can report dry environmental conditions and submit photos to help monitor the situation on the Massachusetts Water Impact Reporter at tinyurl.com/WaterImpactReporting. Additionally, a Frequently Asked Questions page is available at mass.gov/info-details/202425-drought-frequently-asked-questions-faqs, and private well owners can visit mass.gov/info-details/information-for-private-well-owners-during-a-drought to learn how a drought may impact them.