Drought conditions in the United States have eased slightly in recent weeks, with the cumulative area of the country experiencing drought declining to 55% as of the most recent update released June 18 from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Local Impact

In Northern Baltimore County, residents who use well water are feeling the effects of low groundwater levels. Catherine Boucher, a resident, has to keep an eye on water restrictions when refilling her pool. While she and her neighbors are not under any restrictions, those who rely on Baltimore City’s water system are under voluntary water restrictions due to concerns about water levels in reservoirs.

Baltimore City DPW Director Matthew Auerbach says recent rainfall has only raised reservoir levels a foot and a half, but groundwater levels are still a big concern. The Maryland Department of the Environment lists groundwater at emergency low levels for Central Maryland, which can impact people who rely on well water.

National Picture

This spring has brought record-breaking warmth and drought to parts of the United States, with the majority of the country experiencing some form of drought. According to the Palmer Drought Severity Index from the National Centers for Environmental Information, May was the second-driest on record, and March and April were the driest ever recorded.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that rainfall in the Southern Plains and Midwest contributed to drought improvement. However, the drought index was developed in 1965 to define and monitor drought, measuring prolonged abnormal dryness.

Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.