Delaware launches new website to track drought conditions, water supply

As Delaware continues to face ongoing drought conditions, the Delaware Climate Office has unveiled a new website designed to keep residents informed about the state’s water supply.

This initiative, which has been in development since late last year, comes as the state has remained under a drought watch since October 2024.

The site, developed by the University of Delaware’s Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS), aims to provide real-time updates on the state’s drought status.

Website’s info on drought/water supply

It offers vital information, including county and municipality-level precipitation measurements and expert analysis on the current state of Delaware’s water resources.

READ: 9 organizations get winter grants from Delaware 250 to support projects

According to DNREC Division of Water Director Steve Smailer, the new website represents a comprehensive effort to present information about the state’s water supply in a user-friendly format.

“The website integrates data from diverse sources into easily-grasped facts about the drought conditions we’ve been facing in Delaware – particularly with concerns for our surface water supplies in northern New Castle County and our groundwater and soil moisture statewide as we move into planting season,” Smailer said. “There’s never been a greater need for bundling the facets of our water supply and the climatic conditions affecting it into an informational site for the public.”

The website aggregates data from various sources, including the DGS Water Conditions Report, the US Drought Monitor, and the Delaware Water Supply Coordinating Council. This collaboration is aimed at ensuring Delaware’s water resources are effectively managed, especially during periods of drought when water supply is most critical.

Dr. Kevin Brinson, State Climatologist and one of the key contributors to the project, emphasized the broader scope of the website’s utility.

“DNREC has provided tremendous leadership in coordinating our state’s drought monitoring efforts across government, academia, and industry,” Brinson said. “Together, I’m confident that we can continue to enhance the information available through this site with more monitoring data and water demand information.”

In addition to general drought information, the site includes a “Drought Discussion” section, where experts provide summaries of current conditions and offer charts, graphs, and commentary.

The site also links to similar resources for surrounding states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, which are experiencing similar drought challenges.

The most recent drought report posted on the site offers some optimism, noting that March’s rainfall has been above normal across much of Delaware, particularly in Sussex County.

Groundwater levels have improved due to the wet conditions, and stream conditions in northern Delaware are showing signs of recovery.

However, groundwater levels remain below normal at many wells throughout the state, a situation that will continue to be closely monitored.

Looking ahead, the site provides a long-term drought outlook for the spring, showing that conditions are expected to improve statewide.

For more detailed information on the current drought conditions and to stay updated on Delaware’s water supply, visit the website here.