While the heavy rain earlier this week offered some relief, the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies Cayuga County as abnormally dry, and its possible conditions could worsen to a moderate drought, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.
According to the Drought Monitor’s latest report from July 10, Cayuga County, along with most of New York and the Northeast, is defined as being abnormally dry, meaning the area is experiencing a short-term dryness that could slow the planting and growth of crops and pastures.
The Drought Monitor places regions across the country into categories of abnormally dry, moderate drought, severe drought, extreme drought or exceptional drought based on a variety of measures including soil moisture, weekly stream flow and precipitation.
Judy Wright, extension educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, said in a release that, despite heavy rain on Monday, the potential still exists for the region to progress into the moderate drought classification, defined when there is some damage to crops and pastures; streams, reservoirs and wells become low; and some water shortages develop.
To that end, the extension has a list of methods for anyone interested in voluntarily conserving water available on their website, blogs.cornell.edu/ccecayuga, under the “Gardening” tab.
The tips include indoor and outdoor water conservation, water wise gardening and lawns, gardening under drought conditions and managing your well during a drought.
Some of the tips include taking short showers instead of baths, only operating dishwashers when fully loaded, avoiding watering your lawn, using a commercial car wash that recycles water and more.
For anyone unable to access the webpage, the extension asks those interested to call (315) 255-1183 and leave a general message including your name, address and which fact sheets requested.
Hard copies of fact sheets are also available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the extension’s education center at 248 Grant Ave., Auburn.
More relief may be on the way, however, as the National Weather Service is currently forecasting showers and thunderstorms beginning Sunday and lasting until at least Wednesday, July 25.