Connecticut Puts All Eight Counties Under Stage Two Drought as Low Rainfall Pushes Groundwater Levels Down
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Nov. 14 that, on the recommendation of the Interagency Drought Workgroup, all eight counties statewide have entered Stage Two drought status under the Connecticut Drought Preparedness and Response Plan. The state said recent statewide precipitation has remained consistently below normal, causing groundwater levels, river flows, and soil moisture to fall. Under the state drought plan adopted in 2018, Stage Two means a drought event is developing and could affect water supplies, agriculture, or natural ecosystems. The decision was based on multiple indicators monitored by state and federal agencies, including precipitation, surface water, groundwater, reservoir storage, soil moisture, vegetation conditions, and fire risk.
The state urged residents to conserve water, but no mandatory water restrictions are in effect under Stage Two. The Drought Workgroup will continue monitoring the indicators and decide whether to adjust the drought level based on changes in precipitation and water levels. A greenhouse gas inventory previously released by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection showed Connecticut's total 2024 emissions declined.
Source: Office of the Governor of Connecticut
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：康涅狄格州议会大厦，位于哈特福德市（资料图）。来源：Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 2.0。 / Photo: The Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford (file photo). Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
