Delaware's 10-month drought watch lifted by Gov. Matt Meyer
The state is in a precipitation surplus in the past six months, and drought conditions have been subsiding since an extremely dry period in fall 2024. Cities across Delaware did not have any measurable rain for more than 30 days from October into November 2024, so Carney announced a drought watch, recommending that residents save water.
The drought affected the entire region, with Pennsylvania and New Jersey taking similar precautions in late 2024.
Despite lingering drought conditions in early 2025, rainy summer weather dragged the state out of the drought watch. Gerald Kauffman, director of the University of Delaware Water Resources Center, said the holdup was more administrative than anything. Streamflow, salt levels in rivers and groundwater levels are where they should be.
"You can look at it scientifically or look at the weather this morning," Kauffman said on a showery, dreary Tuesday morning.
DROUGHT IMPROVEMENT Delaware has been mostly pulled out of severe drought
He said the decision was made on Monday afternoon after a public meeting with Meyer and DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson based on recommendations from the State's Water Supply Coordinating Council, of which Kauffman is a member.
He said the public and administrative process of declaring and rescinding drought watches was important so the state can avoid going "back and forth." Now, all of the indicators show normal water levels in Delaware. There is no level of drought in any county, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Meyer encouraged water conservation regardless of drought status in a statement from Aug. 18.
'Lifting the drought watch is welcome news after nearly a year of dry conditions, and I want to thank every Delawarean who did their part to conserve water,' Meyer said in the statement. 'With rainfall returning to normal, our state is in a much stronger position heading into the fall. While water conditions have improved, we should carry forward the lesson that water is one of our most precious natural resources, and it's up to all of us to use it wisely.'
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware no longer under drought watch after 10 months
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