MD drought slightly worse
The USDA's new Drought Monitor map for this week is out. It shows that the extent of Maryland's geography affected by moderate to severe drought has increased a bit sinc elast week, despite some teaser rain showers. Only northwestern Garrett County has returned to normal conditions since last week. Here's the map.
Just over 78 percent of Maryland is now experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, as measured by streamflow, rainfall, soil moisture and satellite-based measurements of damage to vegetation. That is up from 75 percent during the last two weeks.
The portion of the state in severe drought has increased from 50 percent to just over 55 percent.
About 18 percent of the state, including Baltimore, is considered to be merely "abnormally dry." The corner of Garrett County that has returned to normal moisture levels constitutes just 4 percent of the state.
Comments
The USGS and MGS have both issued numerous reports in the past 4 years that indicate that the groundwater levels continue to decline. Unfortunately, "it takes a drought" for most people and officials to pay attention. Despite all the evidence from MGS and USGS regarding these water table declines, MDE continues to issue Water Appropriation and Use Permits for more and more subdivisions and POWER PLANTS (which use MILLIONS of gallons per day from the aquifers in most cases). SO WHY DOES MDE CONTINUE TO GRANT THESE PERMITS WHILE WELLS ARE GOING DRY? The State of Maryland is obligated to ensure ALL of us have a safe and ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF DRINKING WATER, so I think the STATE SHOULD BE LIABLE WHEN PRIVATE WELLS GO DRY because of MDE's obvious disregard for those utilizing private wells. WHERE IS THE GOVERNOR?
Posted by: Cheryl | August 16, 2007 1:45 PM