Drought in New England

[Traveler]

As an awareness issue:

The lack of rain along the AT Corridor in the Northeastern US has led to Abnormally Dry (D0) to Moderate Drought (D1) conditions from western Connecticut through Maine. Long term forecasting does not promise much improvement over the next week or two. While conditions are currently at the lower levels of drought Abnormal = D0, Moderate drought = D1, without needed rainfall it will worsen quickly to D2 or higher.

Surface charged water sources and run-off streams, especially those on higher elevations will be running low, if not already dried out. Though most larger bodies of water (lakes, ponds, and marshes) will have water, stagnation can become an issue. Be prepared for planned water sources to be compromised in both volume and purity.

Conditions in western CT are exacerbated by the Spongy Moth caterpillar (formerly known as Gypsy Moth), which have denuded a significant amount of tree canopy (especially in Red Oak trees), letting the sun and heat get into the lower forest floor. Water consumption through this area will be higher due to increase sun/heat exposure. Fire danger is very high and open campfires are discouraged and are prohibited along the AT in CT.

[peakbagger]

Good post. I was over on a summit in Andover Maine near the AT (Rumford Whitecap) last week. Whitecap has a large above treeline area very similar to the northern Mahoosucs. It normally has some reliable water running off the summit area and those sources were dry to barely running. This does not bode well for the shelter sites along the AT that long ago were relocated away from the valleys and moved up and away from roads.

[LittleRock]

Seems like the opposite of last summer when parts of the AT in New England were closed due to flooding.

[rdljr]

was at thistle hill shelter last night, had to go "upstream" about 100 yards to find a puddle deep enough to pump from. It is listed a shelter with reliable water and not up real high on a ridge. All the "streams"/"creeks" that i crossed south of it were dry and at the road crossing were they are putting in a new drainage culvert there was water but it was well mixed with construction dirt. So be prepared and plan ahead.

[peakbagger]

NH was in drought conditions last year as well as much of western Maine where the AT goes through.

[LazyLightning]

Last year in CT was one of the wettest years in history. Year before that was one of the biggest droughts and hottest years in history with the most days ever 90 or above.