RI Water Resources Board

Programs

Drought Management

Rhode Island can experience extended periods of dry weather, from single season events, like the drought of 1999, to multi-year events such as experienced in the mid 1960s. Historically, most droughts in Rhode Island have started with dry winters, rather than a dry summer. Rhode Island has had at least six major droughts since 1929. Future long-term drought in Rhode Island will have a greater effect on drinking water supplies as population and land use patterns change, particularly in groundwater dependent areas of the state.

The amount and the timing of precipitation are key indicators of impending drought. Under normal conditions, late fall and winter precipitation recharges ground water and stream flow prior to the "green-up" period in April and early May. Short-term drought episodes in Rhode Island usually commence just after the green up period, reaching their greatest intensity during the mid-summer and early fall. The 1985 and 1999 droughts, for instance, were preceded by "above normal" precipitation during the spring that was not sufficient to replenish the deficit from the lack of snow and rain during the previous winter and late fall.

State Guide Plan Element #721, Water 2030 includes the state's drought management plan which was developed to provide government with a framework for coordinated response in times of drought. An interdisciplinary Steering Committee meets as needed to assess current conditions and make determinations regarding phases of drought. Rhode Island works closely with the National Weather Service and the US Geological Survey to coordinate drought phases and indices with neighboring states.

Current Drought Level: NORMAL

A warm winter and rainy spring brought recovery of rainfall deficits, streamflows and groundwater levels thus ending the 2016-2017 Drought in Rhode Island. The current drought level is normal.

For more information about the Drought and Recovery:

National Weather Service Presentations to the RI Drought Steering Committee June 7, 2017

• The 2016-2017 Drought Overview & Update Since Last Fall
• Rhode Island Drought Steering Committee NWS Update

US Geological Survey Presentation to the RI Drought Steering Committee June 7, 2017

• Streamflow and Groundwater Conditions in Rhode Island

Spring 2017 Climate Summary

For more information about the Drought Indices and Conditions:

See Drought Indices and Phases and Drought Advisory Actions from Water 2030

Monthly Water Conditions Monitoring

Water Resources Board staff work with the National Weather Service and the US Geological Survey to gather and assess rainfall, surface water and groundwater conditions on a monthly basis. When conditions become dry WRB implements additional monitoring and actions related to drought response consistent with the State Guide Plan Element 721, Water 2030. The links below share the information that the National Weather Service and the USGS provide to assess conditions.

Monthly Precipitation Report and Selected Indices-National Weather Service

Month: Select October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014

• Monthly streamflow and groundwater conditions statements USGS
• Monthly steamflow summary maps USGS
• Groundwater Data-USGS
• Palmer Drought Severity Index
• More information on national drought indices

Water Conditions Reports

When conditions become dry, WRB staff increase monitoring and reporting and may convene the Drought Steering Committee.

View Past Water Conditions Reports ».

Drought Phases, Indices and Regions

Drought Regions

There are seven drought regions in the state that were developed based on precipitation, air temperature, soil type, source of water supply, and municipal or water district boundaries. The plan outlines five levels of drought consistent with the National Weather Service's Watch/Warning system and those used by neighboring Massachusetts. Each level requires increased action and coordination by the Steering Committee member agencies.

Drought Levels and Indices

The Steering Committee assigns drought levels based on hydrological indices such as precipitation, groundwater, stream flow and the Palmer Drought Index as well as local supply indices such as static groundwater level, and reservoir levels. The Normal, Advisory and Watch levels are issued statewide. The Warning and Emergency levels are issued on a regional basis, consider local conditions, source of supply and water storage capacity issues.

Hydrologic Drought Indices (PDF)

Implementation: Framework for Strategic Response to Drought

The RI Drought Management Plan vests state responsibility for coordination of its drought management process in the Water Resources Board and plan implementation in the Drought Management Steering Committee. Members of the Steering Committee include federal and state agencies as well as local water suppliers. The Water Resources Board is responsible for maintaining a current contact list, monitoring conditions and convening the Steering Committee when necessary.

Drought Management Strategies

Even though average precipitation levels may not change significantly in New England, Rhode Island can anticipate more frequent periods of drought. Consequently, the state needs to take steps to reduce vulnerability to periods of reduced precipitation. One means is by increasing efficiency of water use and allocating high quality [drinking] water, first, to uses that require that quality. Drought management strategies include water demand management; waster supply system management; integration of water and wastewater; and policy, legislative and regulatory considerations. Additionally, each category of water use requires a program tailored to it.

Demand Management

• Evaluate Major Users Technical Assistance Program (MUTAP) to assess issues and constraints to effective implementation
• Evaluate reduction in residential water demand, especially for stressed systems
• Evaluate the water rate structure in terms of conservation pricing and investigate other incentives to further reduce demand
• Explore strategies to improve demand management for consumers using private wells or surface waters that are not part of a public water distribution system

System Management

• Assess the Emergency Interconnections Program as a tool for managing drought
• Maintain public water system infrastructure

Integration of water and wastewater planning

• Explore reuse of wastewater
• Establish a means to quantify the value of water that relates to the projected costs of producing, distributing and treating the water

Policy, legislative and regulatory considerations

• Develop a water allocation program consistent with the state drought plan
• Require water suppliers to prepare drought management plans that are consistent with the state drought plan
• Explore legal measures that may be needed to address water users that are not on a public water supply system, such as drought management ordinances
• Develop standby agreements between municipalities and water suppliers
• Consider drought in local land use planning