With a less-than-average snowpack this winter and rainfall amounts over the last two months at 60 percent of normal, the NH Department of Environmental Services is urging Granite Staters to be cautious about water use.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a map released every Thursday, it shows parts of the U.S. that are in drought using five classifications: abnormally dry – showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought – and four levels of drought: moderate, severe, extreme and exceptional.
As of last Thursday, the entire state of New Hampshire was categorized as abnormally dry due to the fact that over the last 60 days, the state has received significantly less than normal precipitation. The majority of the northern half of the state has received 25 to 50% less precipitation than normal. While in the south, the majority of Hillsborough and Cheshire counties, as well as many other counties, have received 50 to 75% less precipitation than normal. And according to the U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook for June, drought development is likely in the state’s southern counties.
“New Hampshire is approaching a stage of drought because rainfall over the last two months is about 60% of normal, and New Hampshire had a significantly less-than-average snowpack this past winter. Consequently, stream flows throughout the state are very low and if these weather trends continue, groundwater levels and water supply wells throughout the state will soon begin to be adversely impacted,” said Thomas O’Donovan, director of the NHDES Water Division.
With the coronavirus pandemic keeping more people at home, there is undoubtedly a much higher water usage happening and with just 5.68 inches of rain recorded at Jaffrey Airport Airfield since April 22 signs point to, if this lack of precipitation continues, to a significant decrease in water supply.
While an official drought classification has not been made, NHDES is encouraging residents – both those on private wells and who get their water from municipal sources – to begin conserving now.
Matt Gifford, owner of Rosaly’s Garden and Farmstand in Peterborough, said it has not been easy these days with the lack of precipitation and rain overnight into Monday was a welcomed sight.
While conditions right now aren’t uncommon for August, the lack of rain in April, May and June has led to more water usage and more often. One thing that helps is that a majority of the crops at Rosaly’s are fitted with drip tape irrigation, which is a plastic tubing that when turned on, provides water “right where you want it,” Gifford said.
“We’ve been using it for a long time, but it’s become more and more necessary,” he said.
It’s much more efficient than overhead watering that spreads water where it isn’t needed. But even so, recently Gifford has needed to turn on the irrigation system the day he plants.
Since they are on town water, in an effort to keep costs down, Gifford said they have to be practical with their water usage – even if farms are exempt from water restrictions.
“That doesn’t mean it’s not our responsibility to practice water conservation,” Gifford said.
But the dust flying around when he’s out in the fields recently is alarming, especially with planting still going on.
It’s always good to be water conscious, said Carl Majewski, dairy, livestock & forage crops field specialist with the UNH Cooperative Extension Cheshire County office, but with current conditions, he said, people should be even more mindful.
“It’s not too early to start using some water conservation measures,” Majewski said. Especially for those on a private well.
“If you’ve got a well that historically runs dry or is iffy during a dry year, think about your water usage,” he said.
Majewski said if a lack of any significant precipitation continues, people will have to think twice about what they use their water for.
“It can come to a point where it means finding a balance of how aesthetically looking your lawn is and having water for your household,” he said.
Ideally, plants do well with the equivalent of an inch of rain per week, and despite how things might look during a hot stretch, it has not reached a point where its causing significant damage.
“Things are going to be moisture stressed, but that’s different than drought injury,” Majewski said.
Simple things like not watering your lawn when rain is in the forecast or changing mowing habits to keep the grass a little longer, which in turn provides shade for the soil surface, can go a long way. Watering at night, instead of during the middle of the day, will allow for more of that moisture to soak in. And collecting water when warming up the shower or bath, setting up rain collection barrels and using dehumidifiers to water will help.
“It’s not enough, not the same as a soaking rain, but it’s something when can haul a few gallons of water out to the garden once a week,” Majewski said.
Tony Cavaliere, superintendent of utilities for the town of Jaffrey, said each morning two public works employees check the town’s wells to collect data that provides a gallons per minute usage and is put into a spreadsheet to document.
“From what I’m looking at, it’s not an issue yet,” Cavaliere said.
Cavaliere said that all of Jaffrey’s wells are ground water and they are constantly alternating them as the main source of water to keep the levels at a good standing. He tracks precipitation, but it really comes down to what they’re seeing in the wells themselves.
He said NHDES will send out a notice in the event a drought is predicted and then the town will make recommendations and set limitations as needed.
“You’d start with the nonessentials,” Cavaliere said. “Lawn watering is definitely the first one to go.”
He recommends reducing water usage all year round, but it’s a good time to start thinking about ways to reduce use.
“Just being mindful – not taking 30 minutes showers every day,” he said.
Annie Card, owner of Hilltop Golf Course in Peterborough, said the lack of rain has meant a lot more staff hours because the greens and collars need to be watered.
“It’s more expensive in hours and more expensive in product,” Card said. “But it’s necessary. It’s part of doing it. Part of farming turf.”
With only having access to irrigate the green areas and some of the tee boxes, some of the fairways and the rough aren’t looking their best.
“It’s just not that lush spring green out there,” she said.
Some of the greens are watered a couple times a day, but hopes the rain Sunday night will be the start of more needed precipitation.
“It’s really tough. It makes it a lot more work,” Card said.
To view the latest drought conditions and to find information related to saving water and managing residential wells during drought, go to www.des.nh.gov and use the “A-Z list” and scroll down to Drought Management.