Drought Watch Lifted for Centre County

A drought watch that had been in place for Centre County for more than three months was lifted on Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Centre was among 15 counties that had the watch lifted by the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, joining Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Dauphin, Juniata, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder and Union. A drought watch remains in effect for Carbon, Luzerne, Northampton, Potter and Schuylkill counties.

Centre County had been under a drought watch since Aug. 31 as overall very dry conditions in the summer persisted into the fall. Four indicators are used to determine drought conditions — precipitation, surface water (stream and river) flow, groundwater level and soil moisture — and declarations are not based on one factor alone, according to DEP.

During the drought watch, residents were asked to voluntarily reduce their water use by 5 to 10%, or about three to six gallons per day. DEP also notifies water suppliers in drought-watch counties to monitor supplies and update drought contingency plans as necessary.