DEP issues Drought Watch for Northeast NJ

Confirming what we all have been observing with increased intensity over the past several weeks, the Department of Environmental Protection today officially issued a Drought Watch for Northeast New Jersey. The Drought Watch officially spans 12 counties and includes nearly 75% of the states population, or 6.2 million residents, including major cities like Newark and New Brunswick.

Rainfall totals over the past three months have been hovering near 50 percent of normal for much of Northern New Jersey, with ground water levels dipping significantly over that time period. The USDA warned of drought about two months ago, when they placed Northeastern New Jersey in a “D1- Moderate Drought” category. But the drought has expanded and worsened over recent weeks. In the last 60 days, the Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center suggests that Northeast New Jersey is running 51 to 75 percent below average precipitation.

The Drought Watch is the first action taken by the DEP in terms of conservation and response to drought conditions. A Drought Watch does not require any water conservation or restrictions, but it does encourage voluntary conservation. Local government offices can also choose to act on the Drought Watch to put such measures in place.

While the pattern in late fall to early winter during El Nino conditions can often be wetter than normal in our area, forecast models over the next week or two do not offer any help. The pattern in the atmosphere remains benign, and the jet stream is displaced well too far north to expect increased storm activity. In fact, the GFS model suggests absolutely zero (0.0″) precipitation in New York City or New Jersey over the next 10 days.

Such conditions would obviously cause increased problems, with a worsening drought. The DEP offers these tips for helping to conserve water, even with only a Drought Watch in place:

• Water lawns (and outdoor plants) less frequently (2-3 times per week) for no more than 30 minutes. This allows the soil to absorb the water and enables roots to grow more deeply, which encourages drought tolerance;
• Never water during the heat of the day, as this promotes evaporation and leads to water waste;
• Sprinkler systems should be set to water after sunset or before dawn, and by law should be equipped with an automated shut-off switch that disables the system following rainfall.
• Install water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators in the bathroom and kitchen (available at most home improvement stores and some supermarkets);
• Do not let faucets run when brushing your teeth or washing the dishes;
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only when they are full, or select the properly sized wash cycle for the current laundry load;
• Use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose;
• Use mulch and native plants to conserve water in the garden;
• Use a rain barrel to capture water from a downspout to use later for watering gardens and plants;
• Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to water trees, gardens and flower beds;

Stay tuned for updates on the drought conditions over the next several days and weeks — with additional tips and information on how to conserve.