AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine drought conditions have eased a little, but most of the state is still experiencing severe drought conditions, according to Maine's Drought Task Force.
Recent rain and snow events have helped restore stream and river water levels, but groundwater levels remain low. Bruce Fitzgerald directs the Maine Emergency Management Agency and chairs the Drought Task Force.
“We don’t have any areas that are in extreme drought anymore, and that is due to the rain we have had over the last few weeks, but we are still in a severe drought in most of Maine.”
Fitzgerald says drought conditions will persist through the winter, as frozen ground over most of the state prevents an increase in ground water levels. Ground areas not yet frozen are expected to be frozen by the end of the weekend.
Fitzgerald said MEMA has received 426 calls from Maine residents whose wells have gone dry. He said Poland Spring is contributing bottled water to those affected. The Good Shepard Food Bank is handling the logistics for distributing the water over the next three months, Fitzgerald said.
