BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A statewide drought watch is still in effect, officials said Thursday, even amid rounds of severe rainstorms and flash flooding.
- Officials on Thursday extended a statewide drought watch
- Even with increased precipitation, there are still deficits
- Lehigh County residents are asked to voluntarily conserve water, but it is not required
“Precipitation over the last month has increased, and stream flows are responding,” according to a news release from the state Department of Environmental Protection. “However, longer term precipitation deficits persist in many areas, and groundwater levels remain low in some counties.”
Precipitation over the last month has increased, and stream flows are responding. However, longer term precipitation deficits persist in many areas, and groundwater levels remain low in some counties.Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Of the Valley’s counties, only Lehigh is noted in the release as an area where officials are encouraging residents and non-farm businesses to voluntarily conserve water by reducing their nonessential water use. At this time, there is no requirement.
The U.S. Drought Monitor earlier this month showed the entirety of Northampton County as “none” for drought status, as well as the majority of Lehigh County. Only one small northwest corner of the county is still listed as “abnormally dry.”
However, in its most recent map, both counties have entered “none” for drought status.
In early June, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed a swath of Pennsylvania crossing from the southeast to northwest in a moderate drought. It followed the second-driest May ever in the Lehigh Valley, behind only the 0.09 inches recorded in May 1964. Normal precipitation for the month is 3.28 inches.
