NEWS RELEASE: Drought Advisory Update

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality sent this bulletin at 09/04/2024 09:59 AM EDT

View as a webpage / Share

DEQ.Virginia.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2024

CONTACT:
804-698-4000
communications@deq.virginia.gov

DROUGHT ADVISORY UPDATE

Drought watch advisory expanded to 22 counties;
drought warning advisory maintained for seven counties.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has expanded the drought watch advisory to now include 22 counties and has maintained a drought warning advisory for seven counties in the Shenandoah region.

A drought warning advisory indicates a significant drought is imminent and is in effect for the following areas:

Shenandoah: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.

A drought watch advisory is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought and remains in effect for the following areas:

Big Sandy: Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wise counties.
New River: Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe counties
Northern Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties

Widespread precipitation from tropical storm Debby over the past 28-day period provided significant relief to drought conditions across most of Virginia. However, over the past two weeks, precipitation has been below normal with focused dryness occurring within the New River and Northern Virginia regions. Reductions in soil moisture have also been observed, notably in the Big Sandy region. Stream flows are below the 10^th percentile in the Big Sandy and New River regions. Groundwater levels for monitoring wells in the Climate Response Network remain below normal and will require additional precipitation events to recover over the short and long-term period. The New River, Shenandoah, and York-James regions are below the 5^th percentile for groundwater levels and four regions are currently below the 10th percentile including the Big Sandy, Northern Coastal Plain, Northern Virginia, and Roanoke. Storage at major water supply reservoirs have declined over the last two weeks but remain within normal ranges.

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. Localities and Virginians that are supplied water from the Potomac River should consult the Metropolitan Washington Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan for more information. All Virginians are encouraged to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitoring drought conditions, and detecting and repairing leaks.

See the current drought status on the DEQ website .

###

About DEQ

The Department of Environmental Quality protects and enhances Virginia's environment and promotes the health and well being of the citizens of the Commonwealth. We are committed to cleaner water, improved air quality, and the productive re-use of contaminated land.

For more information, please visit www.DEQ.Virginia.gov.

Stay Connected with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality:

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe All | Help

DEQ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex in administration of its programs or activities, and, DEQ does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected, or oppose action prohibited, by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights. Title VI Coordinator Melanie Davenport is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 (Non-discrimination in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency), including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (hereinafter referred to collectively as the federal non-discrimination laws). If you have any questions about this notice or any of DEQ's non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact: Title VI Coordinator - Melanie Davenport; Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; P.O. Box 1105; Richmond, VA 23218; (804) 698-4000 (phone); (800) 592-5482 (toll-free); Melanie.Davenport@deq.virginia.gov.